The estimated population of Scotland on 30 June 2013 was 5,327,700, the highest ever and an increase of 14,100 from the previous year.
There were approximately 2,586,530 males and 2,741,170 females.
The population increased because approximately 910 more people were born than died, and because the number of people coming into Scotland exceeded the number leaving by approximately 9,960 between mid-2012 and mid-2013. Other changes, such as in armed forces and prisoners, resulted in a gain of approximately 3,230 people. Infographic 1 provides more information on why Scotland's population has increased.
Infographic 1: Why has Scotland's population increased?
Between mid-2012 and mid-2013, approximately 47,700 people came to Scotland from England, Wales and Northern Ireland and approximately 39,800 left Scotland to go in the opposite direction giving a net migration gain of 7,900.
Compared with the previous year, net migration to Scotland from England, Wales and Northern Ireland has increased by 4,800, as illustrated by Infographic 2. This is because of an increase of 2,600 in the number of people coming to Scotland from England, Wales and Northern Ireland and a decrease of 2,300 in the number of people moving in the opposite direction.
Infographic 2: Net migration (inflows minus outflows) to Scotland in thousands
Between mid-2012 and mid-2013, 28,200 people came to Scotland from overseas and 26,100 left Scotland to go overseas giving a net migration gain of 2,100. This represents about 1 in 2,500 (0.04 per cent) of the total population.
In comparison with the previous year (i.e. mid-2011 to mid-2012) net migration to Scotland from overseas fell by 7,600, as illustrated by Infographic 2. This is primarily because of a drop of 7,700 in the number of people coming to Scotland from overseas.
Migrants to Scotland tended to be younger than the general population. Of in-migrants to Scotland, 49 per cent from the rest of the UK and 69 per cent of those from overseas were aged 16-34 years, yet in the resident population only 25 per cent were in this age group.
Only six per cent of people coming to Scotland from the rest of the UK and two per cent of people entering from overseas were aged 65 and over. Scotland had a net gain of UK migrants in every age group, except those aged 25-34 and 75-84, and a net loss of international migrants for all ages 25 and over.
Among Council areas, between mid-2012 and mid-2013, Moray had the largest percentage population increase at +1.5 per cent, followed by Argyll & Bute (+1.3 per cent) and the City of Edinburgh and Aberdeen City (+1.0 per cent). West Dunbartonshire and Eilean Siar had the largest percentage population decrease both at -0.6 per cent, followed by North Ayrshire and Inverclyde (both -0.5 per cent) and Dumfries & Galloway (-0.4 per cent).
The populations of the City of Edinburgh and Aberdeen City increased because of positive natural change (i.e. more births than deaths) and net in-migration. The populations in Moray and Argyll & Bute increased primarily because of other changes such as changes in the number of armed forces. In contrast, the populations of West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire and Inverclyde decreased because of negative natural change (i.e. more deaths than births) and net out-migration. The populations in Eilean Siar and Dumfries & Galloway decreased primarily because of negative natural change.
Among April 2014 NHS Board areas, Grampian had the largest percentage population increase (+1.0 per cent), followed by Lothian (+0.7 per cent) and Highland (+0.4 per cent). Four April 2014 NHS Boards experienced a fall in population with Western Isles having the largest decrease at -0.6 per cent, followed by Dumfries & Galloway (-0.4 per cent), Ayrshire & Arran (-0.3 per cent) and Shetland (-0.0 per cent).
The median age (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) of the population in Scotland was 41.
The median age was lower in big city areas than in more rural Council areas. For example, the median age was 36 in Aberdeen City, the City of Edinburgh and Glasgow City and 47 in Argyll & Bute and Dumfries & Galloway.
On average, in mid-2013 there were 68 people per square kilometre in Scotland, ranging from 9 people per square kilometre in Eilean Siar and Highland to 3,415 people per square kilometre in Glasgow City Council area.
