Number of Households growing at a faster rate than the Population

The number of households in Scotland is growing at a faster rate than the population with one person households the most common type, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland. 

An increase of 5% in the total number of households is projected by 2028, equivalent to an additional 12,000 households a year. 

Around 140,000 men aged 65 or over are likely to be living alone by 2028, nearly a quarter more than in 2018 and at a more rapid rate of growth than that for women of this age.

Most areas of Scotland are seeing an increase in the number of households,  with Midlothian being the highest at 16%.  Only four areas of the country are projected to show a decrease - Argyll & Bute, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire and the Western Isles (Na-h Eileanan Siar). 

Sandy Taylor, Head of Household Statistics says “Scotland’s population is both ageing and increasing – the number of people aged 65 and over is significantly increasing. This is driving a shift towards a larger number of both smaller and older households, with those of someone aged 85 or over likely to increase by just over 20% in the period to 2028.”

The full publication ‘2018-based Household projections for Scotland’ and an infographic overview and interactive visualisations are available on this website.