Mid-2009 Population Estimates Scotland

Main Points

The key points in this publication are:

the estimated population of Scotland on 30 June 2009 was 5,194,000, a rise of 25,500 on the previous year and the highest population since 1979;
between mid-2001 and mid-2009, Scotland’s population increased by 2.6 per cent (+129,800) from 5.06 million to 5.19 million;
between mid-1999 and mid-2009, Scotland’s population increased by 2.4 per cent (+122,050 ) from 5.07 million to 5.19 million;
in the twelve months up to 30 June 2009, the number of births exceeded the number of deaths by 4,585, the largest natural increase since 1991-92;
over the year there was a net migration gain of 21,700 people. This includes net gains of 4,100 people from the rest of the UK, 17,500 people from overseas (including asylum seekers) and 100 people from the armed forces;
over the year 42,700 people (including asylum seekers) came to Scotland from overseas and 25,200 left Scotland to go overseas. The net gain of 17,500 is the highest since these estimates began in 1991-92. The number that came to Scotland from overseas is also a record;
the net gain from the rest of the UK was less than that from overseas. Over the year, 45,400 people came to Scotland from England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 41,300 left Scotland to go in the opposite direction. The net gain of 4,100 is lower than the previous year’s 11,500 gain because fewer people came to Scotland;
among Council areas, between mid-2008 and mid-2009, Aberdeen City had the largest percentage population increase at +1.6 per cent, followed by City of Edinburgh (+1.3 per cent) and Perth & Kinross (+1.2 per cent). Inverclyde had the largest percentage population decrease at -0.7 per cent, followed by Argyll & Bute (-0.5 per cent) and North Ayrshire (-0.3 per cent);
among NHS Board areas, Grampian, Lothian and Shetland had the largest percentage population increases (all +1.0 per cent). The only NHS Board areas to have experienced a decline in population were Ayrshire & Arran and Western Isles (-0.1 per cent);
in the year to mid-2009, the city council areas experienced net losses of migrants to the rest of Scotland. However, more migrants came to the city council areas from overseas than went in the other direction resulting in overall population increases in these areas; and
on average, there were 67 people per square kilometre in Scotland, ranging from 9 persons per square kilometre in Eilean Siar and Highland Council areas to 3,353 persons per square kilometre in Glasgow City Council area.

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