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: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
Mid-2024 Population Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
On 30 June 2024, the population of East Lothian was 115,180. This is an
increase of 1.2% from 113,810 in 2023. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.7%.
East Lothian had the 18th highest population in 2024, out of all 32
council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, 5 councils saw a
population decrease and 26 councils saw a population increase. There was
1 council that remained the same.
Between 2001 and 2024, the population of East Lothian has increased by
27.7%. This is the highest percentage change out of the 32 council areas
in Scotland. Over the same period, Scotland’s population rose by 9.5%.
In 2024, 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
2024, with a population of 32,311. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 10,621. In 2024, more females
than males lived in East Lothian in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, each age group increased in size. The 75 and over
age group saw the largest percentage increase (+64.3%).
Migration
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
Mid-2024 Migration by Council Area in Scotland
In the period 2023-24, the level of in-migration in East Lothian was
4,820, a 2.8% decrease from 4,960 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in East Lothian was 3,190, which is a 3.3% decrease from
3,300 in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, East Lothian had the 11th highest level of net migration out
of the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 1,630 people.
This is a decrease of 40 from 1,670 people in 2022-23.
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.
In East Lothian, the net migration rate decreased from 14.8 people per
1,000 population in 2022-23 to 14.3 in 2023-24. In comparison, the rate
in Scotland overall decreased from 14.2 to 10.2 people per 1,000
population.
In 2023-24, East Lothian was the council area with the 4th highest net
migration rate, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2022-23
and 2023-24, 27 councils saw a decrease in net migration rates per 1,000
population and 5 councils saw an increase.
In the period 2023-24, net migration in East Lothian was higher for
females (851) than for males (777). The age group with the highest level
of total net migration was 30 to 34 (264). In contrast, the age group
with the lowest level of net migration was 20 to 24 (-30).
Population Projections
Source
data
Last updated: October 2025
Likely next update: Winter 2026/27
2022-based Population Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2022 and 2032, the population of East Lothian is projected to
increase from 112,460 to 126,414. This is an increase of 12.4%, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.4% for Scotland as a whole.
East Lothian is projected to have the 16th highest population out of the
32 council areas in Scotland in 2032. Between 2022 and 2032, 9 councils
are projected to see a population decrease and 23 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 2.3% 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 14.8%
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 2022 and 2032, the 0 to 15 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-1.6%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+37.6%). In terms of
size, however, 45 to 64 is projected to remain the largest age group.
Births
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
2024 Births by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, there were 984 births in East Lothian. This is an increase of
4.8% from 939 births in 2023. Of these 984 births, 479 (48.7%) were
female and 505 (51.3%) were male.
In East Lothian, the standardised birth rate increased from 9.3 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 9.6 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall in 2023 was 8.3 and remained the same in 2024.
In 2024, East Lothian was the council area with the joint 6th highest
standardised birth rate. Between 2023 and 2024, 17 councils saw a
decrease in standardised birth rate and 13 councils saw an increase.
There were 2 councils that saw no change.
In 2024, the most common age group of mothers in East Lothian was 30 to
34 (373 births), the same as in 2004. The least common age group of
mothers in East Lothian was 0 to 19 (20 births), which is a change from
the 40 and over age group in 2004.
Between 2004 and 2024, the 0 to 19 age group has seen the largest
percentage decrease in births (-62.3%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+60.6%).
The total fertility rate in East Lothian increased from 1.4 in 2023 to
1.46 in 2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, East Lothian had
the joint 9th highest rate in 2024 and this is higher than the rate of
1.25 for Scotland as a whole.
Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
2024 Marriages by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, 584 marriages were registered in East Lothian. This is a 6.6%
increase from 548 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
East Lothian had the 17th highest number of marriage registrations in
2024, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, 14
councils saw a decrease in marriage registrations and 18 councils saw an
increase.
2024 Civil Partnerships by Council Area in Scotland
In Scotland overall, there were 796 civil partnerships in 2024, which is
an increase of 10.7% from 2023.
Since June 2021 mixed-sex couples have been able to form a civil
partnership. In 2024, 15 civil partnerships were registered in East
Lothian, of which 15 were mixed-sex and 0 were same-sex.
East Lothian had the joint 15th highest number of civil partnership
registrations in 2024, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between
2023 and 2024, 9 councils saw a decrease in civil partnership
registrations and 20 councils saw an increase. There were 3 councils
that saw no change.
Deaths
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
2024 Deaths by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, there were 1,226 deaths in East Lothian. This is a 2.4%
decrease from 1,256 deaths in 2023. Of these 1,226 deaths, 577 (47.1%)
were female and 649 (52.9%) were male.
In East Lothian, the standardised death rate decreased from 10.3 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 9.9 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, East Lothian was the council area with the 25th highest
standardised death rate. Between 2023 and 2024, 23 councils saw a
decrease in standardised death rate and 6 councils saw an increase.
There were 3 councils that saw no change.
Between 2004 and 2024, both female and male deaths registered in East
Lothian have increased in number. In 2024, a lower number of female
(577) than male (649) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in East
Lothian in 2024 was 10.1% higher and the number of male deaths was 37.5%
higher. At Scotland level, the number of female deaths registered in
2024 was 5.5% higher and the number of male deaths was 16.7% higher.
In 2024, the 90 and over age group saw the highest number of total
deaths (251) and the 10 to 14, 15 to 19 age groups saw the fewest (0).
For females, the most common age group was 90 and over (146) and for
males, the most common age group was 75 to 79 (112).
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 2024 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (13.4% of all male deaths), followed by
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (8.6%). In Scotland overall, the
leading cause of death for males was also Ischaemic heart diseases
(13.7%), followed by Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (7.5%).
In East Lothian, the leading cause of death for females in 2024 was
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (14.0% of all female deaths), followed
by Ischaemic heart diseases (8.3%). In Scotland overall, the leading
cause of death for females was also Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
(13.7%), followed by Ischaemic heart diseases (8.5%).
Life Expectancy
Source
data
Last updated: October 2024
Likely next update: December 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.
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.
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%).
Household Estimates
Source
data
Last updated: June 2025
Likely next update: June 2026
Mid-2024 Household Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, the number of households in East Lothian was 50,562. This is a
1.8% increase from 49,686 households in 2023. In comparison, the number
of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
East Lothian had the 20th highest number of households in 2024, out of
all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, all councils
saw an increase in the number of households.
In comparison to 2001, the number of households in East Lothian has
increased by 32.3%. This is the highest percentage change out of the 32
council areas in Scotland and a more rapid change than at Scotland level
(+16.3%).
Household Projections
Source
data
Last updated: September 2020
Likely next update: December 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 2025
Likely next update: June 2026
2024 Dwellings by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, the number of dwellings in East Lothian was 53,502. This is a
2.2% increase from 52,327 in 2023. In comparison, the number of
dwellings in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
East Lothian had the 20th highest number of dwellings in 2024, out of
all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, all councils
saw an increase in the number of dwellings.
Compared with 2001, the number of dwellings in East Lothian has
increased by 34.7%. 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 (+18.1%).
In East Lothian, Council Tax band C was most common (29.1%) in 2024,
followed by Council Tax band B (17.9%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band
H was the least common (1.3%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B
was the most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least
common in Scotland.
