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 Fife was 373,210. This is an increase
of 0.5% from 371,390 in 2022. Over the same period, the population of
Scotland increased by 0.8%.
Fife had the 3rd 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 Fife has increased by 6.7%.
This is the 19th 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 (51.6%) than males (48.4%) living in
Fife. 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 102,627. In contrast, the 75 and over age
group was the smallest, with a population of 38,334. In 2023, more
females than males lived in Fife in 5 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2023, the 25 to 44 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-12.0%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+46.5%).
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 Fife is projected to decrease
from 371,910 to 371,430. This is a decrease of 0.1%, which compares to a
projected increase of 1.8% for Scotland as a whole.
Fife is projected to have the 3rd 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.
Fife is projected to have the 20th highest percentage change in
population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Over the next 10 years, the population of Fife 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 2.3%
over the same period.
The average age of the population of Fife is projected to increase as
the baby boomer generation ages and more people are expected to live
longer.
Between 2018 and 2028, the 0 to 15 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-9.1%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+31.1%). 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 2,939 births in Fife. This is a decrease of 1.7%
from 2,990 births in 2022. Of these 2,939 births, 1,445 (49.2%) were
female and 1,494 (50.8%) were male.
In Fife, the standardised birth rate decreased from 8.8 per 1,000
population in 2022 to 8.6 in 2023. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall decreased from 8.6 to 8.4.
In 2023, Fife was the council area with the joint 25th 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 Fife was 30 to 34 (952
births), the same as in 2003. The least common age group of mothers in
Fife was 0 to 19 (101 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 (-68.2%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+45.9%).
The total fertility rate in Fife decreased from 1.37 in 2022 to 1.34 in
2023. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Fife had the 27th 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 4,582 deaths in Fife. This is a 0.5% increase from
4,560 deaths in 2022. Of these 4,582 deaths, 2,341 (51.1%) were female
and 2,241 (48.9%) were male.
In Fife, the standardised death rate in 2022 was 11.6 per 1,000
population and remained the same in 2023. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall in 2022 was 11.6 and remained the same in 2023.
In 2023, Fife was the council area with the 15th 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 Fife
have increased in number. In 2023, a higher number of female (2,341)
than male (2,241) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2003, the number of female deaths registered in Fife in
2023 was 11.3% higher and the number of male deaths was 22.9% 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 85 to 89 age group saw the highest number of total deaths
(781) and the 5 to 9 age group saw the fewest (0). For females, the most
common age group was 90 and over (518) and for males, the most common
age group was 80 to 84 (415).
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 Fife, the leading cause of death for males in 2023 was Ischaemic
heart diseases (15.1% of all male deaths), followed by Dementia and
Alzheimer’s Disease (8.8%). 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 Fife, the leading cause of death for females in 2023 was Dementia and
Alzheimer’s Disease (13.8% of all female deaths), followed by Ischaemic
heart diseases (8.5%). 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 Fife, life expectancy at birth was higher for females (80.7 years)
than for males (77.1 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 Fife, female life expectancy at birth is lower than at Scotland level
and male life expectancy at birth is higher than than at Scotland level.
for females
for males
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
birth in Fife has risen by 1.7%. This is the joint 24th 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 Fife has risen by 3.4%. This is the 27th 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 Fife, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females (19.5
years) than for males (17.6 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 Fife, female life expectancy at age 65-69 is lower than at Scotland
level and male life expectancy at age 65-69 is higher than than at
Scotland level.
for females
for males
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
age 65-69 in Fife has risen by 7.7%. This is the 20th 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 Fife has risen by 14.6%. This is the joint 24th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
lower 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 Fife was 12,610, a
0.9% decrease from 12,720 in the period 2021-22. The level of
out-migration in Fife was 9,140, which is a 10.8% decrease from 10,250
in 2021-22.
In 2022-23, Fife had the 5th highest level of net migration out of the
32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 3,470 people. This is
an increase of 1,000 from 2,470 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 Fife, the net migration rate increased from 6.7 people per 1,000
population in 2021-22 to 9.3 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, Fife was the council area with the 14th 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 Fife was higher for females
(1,809) than for males (1,662). The age group with the highest level of
total net migration was 15 to 19 (1,077). In contrast, the age group
with the lowest level of net migration was 20 to 24 (-168).
Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Source
data
Last updated: July 2024
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2023 Marriages by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, 1,517 marriages were registered in Fife. This is a 16.5%
decrease from 1,817 in 2022. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall decreased by 10.9%.
Fife had the 5th 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, 45 civil partnerships were registered in Fife, of
which 36 were mixed-sex and 9 were same-sex.
Fife had the 4th 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 Fife was 170,982. This is a 0.7%
increase from 169,723 households in 2022. In comparison, the number of
households in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Fife had the 3rd 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 Fife has increased by
13.6%. This is the 21st highest percentage change out of the 32 council
areas in Scotland and a less 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 Fife is projected to
increase from 167,944 to 173,621. This is a 3.4% increase, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Fife is projected to have the 3rd 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.
Fife is projected to have the 20th 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 (35.1%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (6.2%) in Fife.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Two or more adults, one or
more children” is projected to see the largest percentage decrease
(-4.8%) and the household type “One adult” is projected to see the
largest percentage increase (+7.1%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-23.0%) and the 80 to 84 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+44.2%). 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 2024
Likely next update: June 2025
2023 Dwellings by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, the number of dwellings in Fife was 182,775. This is a 0.8%
increase from 181,405 in 2022. In comparison, the number of dwellings in
Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Fife had the 3rd 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 Fife has increased by
16.2%. This is the 18th highest percentage change out of the 32 council
areas in Scotland and a less rapid change than for Scotland as a whole
(+17.3%).
In Fife, Council Tax band B was most common (26.6%) in 2023, followed by
Council Tax band A (22.1%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band H was the
least common (0.3%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B was the
most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least common in
Scotland.
