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 Falkirk was 160,020. This is an
increase of 0.6% from 159,020 in 2023. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.7%.
Falkirk had the 11th 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 Falkirk has increased by 10.2%.
This is the 12th 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 (51.4%) than males (48.6%) living in
Falkirk. 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 45,698. In contrast, the 75 and over age
group was the smallest, with a population of 14,701. In 2024, more
females than males lived in Falkirk in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, the 25 to 44 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-6.2%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+49.2%).
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 Falkirk was 5,090, a
4.9% increase from 4,850 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in Falkirk was 3,730, which is a 2.2% increase from 3,650
in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, Falkirk had the 13th highest level of net migration out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 1,360 people. This
is an increase of 160 from 1,200 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 Falkirk, the net migration rate increased from 7.6 people per 1,000
population in 2022-23 to 8.6 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, Falkirk was the council area with the 15th 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 Falkirk was higher for females
(688) than for males (675). The age group with the highest level of
total net migration was 25 to 29 (212). In contrast, the age group with
the lowest level of net migration was 70 to 74 (-22).
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 Falkirk was 5,090, a
4.9% increase from 4,850 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in Falkirk was 3,730, which is a 2.2% increase from 3,650
in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, Falkirk had the 13th highest level of net migration out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 1,360 people. This
is an increase of 160 from 1,200 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 Falkirk, the net migration rate increased from 7.6 people per 1,000
population in 2022-23 to 8.6 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, Falkirk was the council area with the 15th 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 Falkirk was higher for females
(688) than for males (675). The age group with the highest level of
total net migration was 25 to 29 (212). In contrast, the age group with
the lowest level of net migration was 70 to 74 (-22).
Births
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
2024 Births by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, there were 1,332 births in Falkirk. This is an increase of 1.2%
from 1,316 births in 2023. Of these 1,332 births, 659 (49.5%) were
female and 673 (50.5%) were male.
In Falkirk, the standardised birth rate increased from 8.7 per 1,000
population in 2023 to 8.8 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall in 2023 was 8.3 and remained the same in 2024.
In 2024, Falkirk was the council area with the joint 19th 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 Falkirk was 30 to 34
(453 births), the same as in 2004. The least common age group of mothers
in Falkirk was 0 to 19 (38 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 (-72.7%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+59.4%).
The total fertility rate in Falkirk increased from 1.34 in 2023 to 1.36
in 2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Falkirk had the 20th
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, 508 marriages were registered in Falkirk. This is a 0.8%
decrease from 512 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Falkirk had the 20th 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, 8 civil partnerships were registered in Falkirk,
of which 5 were mixed-sex and 3 were same-sex.
Falkirk had the joint 23rd 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 1,902 deaths in Falkirk. This is a 0.4% increase
from 1,894 deaths in 2023. Of these 1,902 deaths, 927 (48.7%) were
female and 975 (51.3%) were male.
In Falkirk, the standardised death rate in 2023 was 12.3 per 1,000
population and remained the same in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, Falkirk was the council area with the 8th 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 Falkirk
have increased in number. In 2024, a lower number of female (927) than
male (975) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in Falkirk
in 2024 was 6.2% higher and the number of male deaths was 29.5% 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 85 to 89 age group saw the highest number of total deaths
(324) and the 1 to 4 age group saw the fewest (0). For females, the most
common age group was 85 to 89 (174) and for males, the most common age
group was 75 to 79 (168).
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 Falkirk, the leading cause of death for males in 2024 was Ischaemic
heart diseases (14.1% of all male deaths), followed by Dementia and
Alzheimer’s Disease (8.3%). 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 Falkirk, the leading cause of death for females in 2024 was Dementia
and Alzheimer’s Disease (14.8% of all female deaths), followed by
Ischaemic heart diseases (9.1%). 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 Falkirk, life expectancy at birth was higher for females (79.7 years)
than for males (76.2 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 Falkirk, female life expectancy at birth is lower than at Scotland
level and male life expectancy at birth is lower than than at Scotland
level.
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
birth in Falkirk has risen by 1.4%. This is the 29th 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 Falkirk has risen by 3.3%. This is the 28th 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 Falkirk, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females (18.9
years) than for males (17.0 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 Falkirk, female life expectancy at age 65-69 is lower than at
Scotland level and male life expectancy at age 65-69 is lower than than
at Scotland level.
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
age 65-69 in Falkirk has risen by 7.6%. This is the 21st highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
lower 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 Falkirk has risen by 14.0%. This is the 26th highest percentage
change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is lower 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 Falkirk was 73,237. This is a 0.5%
increase from 72,907 households in 2023. In comparison, the number of
households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Falkirk had the 11th 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 Falkirk has increased
by 16.8%. This is the 15th 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 Falkirk is projected
to increase from 72,267 to 76,692. This is a 6.1% increase, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Falkirk is projected to have the 11th 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.
Falkirk is projected to have the 7th 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 (34.3%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (5.9%) in Falkirk.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Two or more adults, one or
more children” is projected to see the largest percentage decrease
(-2.4%) and the household type “Two adults” is projected to see the
largest percentage increase (+11.1%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-16.3%) and the 80 to 84 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+34.5%). In terms of
size, however, 55 to 59 is projected to become the largest age group of
a Household Reference Person (HRP), compared to 50 to 54 in 2018.
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 Falkirk was 76,942. This is a 0.3%
increase from 76,689 in 2023. In comparison, the number of dwellings in
Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Falkirk had the 11th 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 Falkirk has increased by
19.1%. This is the 12th 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 Falkirk, Council Tax band A was most common (28.9%) in 2024, followed
by Council Tax band B (25.3%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band H was the
least common (0.1%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B was the
most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least common in
Scotland.
