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 Inverclyde was 78,880. This is an
increase of 0.1% from 78,780 in 2023. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.7%.
Inverclyde had the 28th 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 Inverclyde has decreased by
6.3%. This is the lowest 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 (51.7%) than males (48.3%) living in
Inverclyde. 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 22,876. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 7,290. In 2024, more females than
males lived in Inverclyde in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, the 0 to 15 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-25.5%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+32.5%).
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 Inverclyde was
2,290, a 3.0% decrease from 2,360 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in Inverclyde was 1,690, which is a 19.9% increase from
1,410 in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, Inverclyde had the 24th highest level of net migration out
of the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 600 people.
This is a decrease of 350 from 950 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 Inverclyde, the net migration rate decreased from 12.1 people per
1,000 population in 2022-23 to 7.6 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, Inverclyde was the council area with the 18th 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 Inverclyde was higher for males
(348) than for females (252). The age group with the highest level of
total net migration was 5 to 9 (89). In contrast, the age group with the
lowest level of net migration was 80 to 84 (-10).
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 Inverclyde is projected to
decrease from 78,350 to 74,131. This is a decrease of 5.4%, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.4% for Scotland as a whole.
Inverclyde is projected to have the 28th 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.
Inverclyde is projected to have the lowest percentage change in
population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Over the next 10 years, the population of Inverclyde is projected to
decrease by 7.5% 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 2.2%
over the same period.
The average age of the population of Inverclyde is projected to increase
as the baby boomer generation ages and more people are expected to live
longer.
Between 2022 and 2032, the 45 to 64 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-18.8%) and the 65 to 74 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+23.3%). 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 594 births in Inverclyde. This is a decrease of 3.9%
from 618 births in 2023. Of these 594 births, 290 (48.8%) were female
and 304 (51.2%) were male.
In Inverclyde, the standardised birth rate decreased from 9.0 per 1,000
population in 2023 to 8.6 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall in 2023 was 8.3 and remained the same in 2024.
In 2024, Inverclyde was the council area with the 23rd 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 Inverclyde was 30 to 34
(199 births), the same as in 2004. The least common age group of mothers
in Inverclyde was 40 and over (19 births), which is the same as in 2004.
Between 2004 and 2024, each age group decreased in size. The 0 to 19 age
group has seen the largest percentage decrease in births (-78.3%).
The total fertility rate in Inverclyde decreased from 1.39 in 2023 to
1.33 in 2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Inverclyde had
the joint 22nd 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, 127 marriages were registered in Inverclyde. This is a 19.1%
decrease from 157 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Inverclyde had the 28th 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, 4 civil partnerships were registered in
Inverclyde, of which 4 were mixed-sex and 0 were same-sex.
Inverclyde had the joint 28th 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 1,126 deaths in Inverclyde. This is a 4.0% decrease
from 1,173 deaths in 2023. Of these 1,126 deaths, 566 (50.3%) were
female and 560 (49.7%) were male.
In Inverclyde, the standardised death rate decreased from 13.4 per 1,000
population in 2023 to 12.9 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, Inverclyde was the council area with the 4th 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
Inverclyde have increased in number. In 2024, a higher number of female
(566) than male (560) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in
Inverclyde in 2024 was 2.4% higher and the number of male deaths was
7.7% 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 80 to 84 age group saw the highest number of total deaths
(202) and the 1 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 14 age groups saw the fewest (0).
For females, the most common age group was 90 and over (130) and for
males, the most common age group was 80 to 84 (93).
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 Inverclyde, the leading cause of death for males in 2024 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (14.5% of all male deaths), followed by Lung
Cancer (7.0%). 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 Inverclyde, the leading cause of death for females in 2024 was
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (12.9% of all female deaths), followed
by Ischaemic heart diseases (9.2%). 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 Inverclyde, life expectancy at birth was higher for females (79.6
years) than for males (75.5 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 Inverclyde, 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 Inverclyde has risen by 2.4%. This is the joint 12th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
equal to the percentage change for Scotland overall (+2.4%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at
birth in Inverclyde has risen by 7.5%. This is the highest percentage
change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is higher than
the percentage change for Scotland overall (+4.5%).
In Inverclyde, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females (19.0
years) than for males (16.6 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 Inverclyde, 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 Inverclyde has risen by 8.1%. This is the 17th 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 Inverclyde has risen by 19.1%. This is the 4th 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 Inverclyde was 37,615. This is a
0.2% increase from 37,556 households in 2023. In comparison, the number
of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Inverclyde had the 28th 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 Inverclyde has
increased by 2.5%. This is the lowest percentage change out of the 32
council areas in Scotland and a less 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 Inverclyde is
projected to decrease from 37,640 to 36,433. This is a 3.2% decrease,
which compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Inverclyde is projected to have the 28th 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.
Inverclyde is projected to have the lowest percentage change in
household numbers out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
In 2028, the household type “One adult” is projected to remain the most
common (42.7%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (7.2%) in Inverclyde.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Two or more adults, one or
more children” is projected to see the largest percentage decrease
(-13.1%) and the household type “Two adults” is projected to see the
largest percentage increase (+0.6%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-35.3%) and the 65 to 69 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+22.8%). In terms of
size, however, 60 to 64 is projected to become the largest age group of
a Household Reference Person (HRP), compared to 55 to 59 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 Inverclyde was 39,926. This is a
0.0% increase from 39,913 in 2023. In comparison, the number of
dwellings in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Inverclyde had the 28th 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 Inverclyde has increased
by 1.8%. This is the lowest percentage change out of the 32 council
areas in Scotland and a less rapid change than for Scotland as a whole
(+18.1%).
In Inverclyde, Council Tax band A was most common (47.5%) in 2024,
followed by Council Tax band B (15.8%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band
H was the least common (0.5%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B
was the most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least
common in Scotland.
