Please note: In smaller council areas (e.g. Shetland Islands), there are
large fluctuations in the data. This is because small changes have a
much larger effect in small populations than in large ones (e.g. Glasgow
City).
Population Estimates
Source
data
Last updated: January 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2025
Mid-2023 Population Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
On 30 June 2023, the population of East Lothian was 113,740. This is an
increase of 1.1% from 112,460 in 2022. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.8%.
East Lothian had the 19th highest population in 2023, out of all 32
council areas in Scotland. Between 2022 and 2023, 7 councils saw a
population decrease and 25 councils saw a population increase.
Between 2001 and 2023, the population of East Lothian has increased by
26.1%. This is the highest percentage change out of the 32 council areas
in Scotland. Over the same period, Scotland’s population rose by 8.4%.
In 2023, there were more females (52.1%) than males (47.9%) living in
East Lothian. There were also more females (51.4%) than males (48.6%)
living in Scotland overall.
In terms of overall size, the 45 to 64 age group was the largest in
2023, with a population of 32,284. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 10,204. In 2023, more females
than males lived in East Lothian in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2023, each age group increased in size. The 75 and over
age group saw the largest percentage increase (+59.3%).
Population Projections
Source
data
Last updated: March 2020
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2018-based Population Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2018 and 2028, the population of East Lothian is projected to
increase from 105,790 to 113,403. This is an increase of 7.2%, which
compares to a projected increase of 1.8% for Scotland as a whole.
East Lothian is projected to have the 19th highest population out of the
32 council areas in Scotland in 2028. Between 2018 and 2028, 14 councils
are projected to see a population decrease and 18 councils are projected
to see a population increase.
East Lothian is projected to have the 2nd highest percentage change in
population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Over the next 10 years, the population of East Lothian is projected to
decrease by 1.4% due to natural change (more deaths than births). Total
net migration (net migration within Scotland, from overseas and from the
rest of the UK) is projected to result in a population increase of 8.6%
over the same period.
The average age of the population of East Lothian is projected to
increase as the baby boomer generation ages and more people are expected
to live longer.
Between 2018 and 2028, the 45 to 64 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-2.8%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+32.6%). In terms of
size, however, 45 to 64 is projected to remain the largest age group.
Births
Source
data
Last updated: July 2024
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2023 Births by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, there were 939 births in East Lothian. This is a decrease of
8.1% from 1,022 births in 2022. Of these 939 births, 442 (47.1%) were
female and 497 (52.9%) were male.
In East Lothian, the standardised birth rate decreased from 10.2 per
1,000 population in 2022 to 9.3 in 2023. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall decreased from 8.6 to 8.4.
In 2023, East Lothian was the council area with the joint 10th highest
standardised birth rate. Between 2022 and 2023, 24 councils saw a
decrease in standardised birth rate and 7 councils saw an increase.
There was 1 council that saw no change.
In 2023, the most common age group of mothers in East Lothian was 30 to
34 (346 births), the same as in 2003. The least common age group of
mothers in East Lothian was 0 to 19 (7 births), which is a change from
the 40 and over age group in 2003.
Between 2003 and 2023, the 0 to 19 age group has seen the largest
percentage decrease in births (-86.3%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+31.6%).
The total fertility rate in East Lothian decreased from 1.56 in 2022 to
1.43 in 2023. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, East Lothian had
the joint 18th highest rate in 2023 and this is higher than the rate of
1.3 for Scotland as a whole.
Deaths
Source
data
Last updated: July 2024
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2023 Deaths by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, there were 1,256 deaths in East Lothian. This is a 1.9%
increase from 1,232 deaths in 2022. Of these 1,256 deaths, 632 (50.3%)
were female and 624 (49.7%) were male.
In East Lothian, the standardised death rate increased from 10.3 per
1,000 population in 2022 to 10.5 in 2023. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall in 2022 was 11.6 and remained the same in 2023.
In 2023, East Lothian was the council area with the 22nd highest
standardised death rate. Between 2022 and 2023, 14 councils saw a
decrease in standardised death rate and 16 councils saw an increase.
There were 2 councils that saw no change.
Between 2003 and 2023, both female and male deaths registered in East
Lothian have increased in number. In 2023, a higher number of female
(632) than male (624) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2003, the number of female deaths registered in East
Lothian in 2023 was 4.3% higher and the number of male deaths was 30.0%
higher. At Scotland level, the number of female deaths registered in
2023 was 3.7% higher and the number of male deaths was 13.8% higher.
In 2023, the 90 and over age group saw the highest number of total
deaths (252) and the 1 to 4 age group saw the fewest (0). For females,
the most common age group was 90 and over (160) and for males, the most
common age group was 75 to 79 (108).
The following leading cause of death analysis is based on
a
list of causes developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
There are around 60 categories in total and cancers are grouped
separately according to the type of cancer, for example, lung, breast
and prostate cancer are all counted as separate causes. If all cancers
were grouped together, cancer would be the leading cause of death.
In East Lothian, the leading cause of death for males in 2023 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (13.8% of all male deaths), followed by
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (7.5%). In Scotland overall, the
leading cause of death for males was also Ischaemic heart diseases
(13.8%), followed by Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (7.1%).
In East Lothian, the leading cause of death for females in 2023 was
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (13.3% of all female deaths), followed
by Ischaemic heart diseases (9.7%). In Scotland overall, the leading
cause of death for females was also Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
(13.4%), followed by Ischaemic heart diseases (8.2%).
Life Expectancy
Source
data
Last updated: October 2024
Likely next update: September 2025
Life Expectancy in 2021-23 by Council Area in Scotland\*
In East Lothian, life expectancy at birth was higher for females (82.0
years) than for males (78.8 years) in 2021-23. Male life expectancy at
birth has increased more rapidly than female life expectancy at birth
between 2001-03 and 2021-23.
In East Lothian, life expectancy at birth is higher than at Scotland
level for both females and males.
for females
for males
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
birth in East Lothian has risen by 2.3%. This is the joint 16th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
lower than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+2.4%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at
birth in East Lothian has risen by 4.2%. This is the joint 12th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
lower than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+4.5%).
In East Lothian, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females
(20.3 years) than for males (18.8 years) in 2021-23. Male life
expectancy at age 65-69 has increased more rapidly than female life
expectancy at age 65-69 between 2001-03 and 2021-23.
In East Lothian, life expectancy at age 65-69 is higher than at Scotland
level for both females and males.
for females
for males
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
age 65-69 in East Lothian has risen by 11.0%. This is the 8th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+8.8%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at age
65-69 in East Lothian has risen by 16.9%. This is the joint 11th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+16.5%).
\*Please note that the Scotland-level life expectancy estimate shown
here is for use only as a comparator for the corresponding
sub-Scotland-level figures. The definitive Scotland-level life
expectancy estimate (based on national life tables) is published in the
National Life Tables section of the NRS website.
Migration
Source
data
Last updated: March 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2025
Mid-2023 Migration by Council Area in Scotland
In the period 2022-23, the level of in-migration in East Lothian was
4,940, a 2.3% increase from 4,830 in the period 2021-22. The level of
out-migration in East Lothian was 3,350, which is a 2.3% decrease from
3,430 in 2021-22.
In 2022-23, East Lothian had the 13th highest level of net migration out
of the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 1,590 people.
This is an increase of 190 from 1,400 people in 2021-22.
Net migration is the difference between in-migration (those coming into
an area) and out-migration (those leaving an area). Positive net
migration means in-migration is higher than out-migration. Negative net
migration means out-migration is higher than in-migration.
\*Please note that totals have been rounded to the nearest ten at
council level.
In East Lothian, the net migration rate increased from 12.6 people per
1,000 population in 2021-22 to 14.1 in 2022-23. In comparison, the rate
in Scotland overall increased from 10.2 to 11.3 people per 1,000
population.
In 2022-23, East Lothian was the council area with the 9th highest net
migration rate, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2021-22
and 2022-23, 8 councils saw a decrease in net migration rates per 1,000
population and 24 councils saw an increase.
In the period 2022-23, net migration in East Lothian was higher for
females (896) than for males (693). The age group with the highest level
of total net migration was 30 to 34 (322). In contrast, the age group
with the lowest level of net migration was 15 to 19 (-64).
Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Source
data
Last updated: July 2024
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2023 Marriages by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, 548 marriages were registered in East Lothian. This is a 9.7%
decrease from 607 in 2022. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall decreased by 10.9%.
East Lothian had the 18th highest number of marriage registrations in
2023, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2022 and 2023, 28
councils saw a decrease in marriage registrations and 2 councils saw an
increase. There were 2 councils that saw no change.
2023 Civil Partnerships by Council Area in Scotland
In Scotland overall, there were 719 civil partnerships in 2023, which is
an increase of 14.1% from 2022.
Since June 2021 mixed-sex couples have been able to form a civil
partnership. In 2023, 18 civil partnerships were registered in East
Lothian, of which 17 were mixed-sex and 1 was same-sex.
East Lothian had the joint 10th highest number of civil partnership
registrations in 2023, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between
2022 and 2023, 11 councils saw a decrease in civil partnership
registrations and 18 councils saw an increase. There were 3 councils
that saw no change.
Household Estimates
Source
data
Last updated: June 2024
Likely next update: June 2025
Mid-2023 Household Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, the number of households in East Lothian was 49,686. This is a
1.6% increase from 48,902 households in 2022. In comparison, the number
of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
East Lothian had the 20th highest number of households in 2023, out of
all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2022 and 2023, 1 council saw a
decrease in the number of households and 31 councils saw an increase.
In comparison to 2001, the number of households in East Lothian has
increased by 30.0%. This is the highest percentage change out of the 32
council areas in Scotland and a more rapid change than at Scotland level
(+15.5%).
Household Projections
Source
data
Last updated: September 2020
Likely next update: July 2025
2018-based Household Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2018 and 2028, the number of households in East Lothian is
projected to increase from 45,975 to 50,821. This is a 10.5% increase,
which compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
East Lothian is projected to have the 20th highest number of households
in 2028, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2018 and 2028,
8 councils are projected to see a decrease in the number of households
and 24 councils are projected to see an increase.
East Lothian is projected to have the 2nd highest percentage change in
household numbers out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
In 2028, the household type “Two adults” is projected to remain the most
common (33.3%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (5.5%) in East Lothian.
Between 2018 and 2028, each household type increased in number. The
household type “One adult” is projected to see the largest percentage
increase (+14.3%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-17.2%) and the 80 to 84 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+43.8%). In terms of
size, however, 55 to 59 is projected to remain the largest age group of
a Household Reference Person (HRP).
Dwellings
Source
data
Last updated: June 2024
Likely next update: June 2025
2023 Dwellings by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, the number of dwellings in East Lothian was 52,327. This is a
1.8% increase from 51,409 in 2022. In comparison, the number of
dwellings in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
East Lothian had the 20th highest number of dwellings in 2023, out of
all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2022 and 2023, all councils
saw an increase in the number of dwellings.
Compared with 2001, the number of dwellings in East Lothian has
increased by 31.8%. This is the 2nd highest percentage change out of the
32 council areas in Scotland and a more rapid change than for Scotland
as a whole (+17.3%).
In East Lothian, Council Tax band C was most common (29.4%) in 2023,
followed by Council Tax band B (18.1%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band
H was the least common (1.4%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B
was the most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least
common in Scotland.
