Scotland’s population increased in the year to June 2019

As of 30th June 2019, Scotland’s population was 5.46 million, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland.

The figures published in the Mid-2019 Population Estimates for Scotland show that Scotland’s population increased by 25,200 people, growth of 0.5% over the year.

Why has Scotland’s population increased?

Scotland’s latest population growth was driven by migration with 30,200 more people moving to Scotland than leaving, from both overseas and the rest of the UK, in the year to mid-2019. In contrast, there was no natural growth in the population with 5,600 more deaths than births over the same period.

How does population change compare across Scotland?

Population change varies across the country. Three quarters of council areas (24 out of 32) experienced population growth, with 8 areas seeing population decline in the last year. Most of the latest population growth was in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as their neighbouring council areas. Population decline affected some island and mainly rural areas, as well as areas in the west of Scotland.

How is the age structure of the population changing?

Scotland’s population is ageing. In mid-2019, 19% of the population were aged 65 and over compared with 17% a decade earlier in mid-2009. Over the same period, the population aged 65 and over increased in all council areas.

The data from this release informs Scotland’s National Performance Framework Indicator on population. An infographic summarising the key points of the NRS report and an interactive data visualisation comparing mid-year population estimates between Scottish council areas are available on the NRS website.