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 Renfrewshire was 189,170. This is an
increase of 1.1% from 187,150 in 2023. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.7%.
Renfrewshire had the 9th 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 Renfrewshire has increased by
9.4%. This is the 13th 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 (51.6%) than males (48.4%) living in
Renfrewshire. There were also more females (51.4%) than males (48.6%)
living in Scotland overall.
In terms of overall size, the 25 to 44 age group was the largest in
2024, with a population of 51,649. In contrast, the 75 and over age
group was the smallest, with a population of 17,333. In 2024, more
females than males lived in Renfrewshire in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, the 0 to 15 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-8.4%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+52.5%).
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 Renfrewshire was
7,990, a 3.3% decrease from 8,260 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in Renfrewshire was 5,530, which is a 12.6% increase from
4,910 in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, Renfrewshire had the 7th highest level of net migration out
of the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 2,470 people.
This is a decrease of 880 from 3,350 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 Renfrewshire, the net migration rate decreased from 18.2 people per
1,000 population in 2022-23 to 13.2 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, Renfrewshire was the council area with the 6th 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 Renfrewshire was higher for
males (1,259) than for females (1,209). The age group with the highest
level of total net migration was 25 to 29 (547). In contrast, the age
group with the lowest level of net migration was 75 to 79 (-7).
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 Renfrewshire is projected to
increase from 184,370 to 201,006. This is an increase of 9.0%, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.4% for Scotland as a whole.
Renfrewshire is projected to have the 9th 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.
Renfrewshire is projected to have the 5th highest percentage change in
population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Over the next 10 years, the population of Renfrewshire is projected to
decrease by 3.4% 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 12.3%
over the same period.
The average age of the population of Renfrewshire 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 (-3.9%) and the 65 to 74 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+25.7%). In terms of
size, however, 25 to 44 is projected to become 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 1,718 births in Renfrewshire. This is an increase of
3.3% from 1,663 births in 2023. Of these 1,718 births, 876 (51.0%) were
female and 842 (49.0%) were male.
In Renfrewshire, 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, Renfrewshire 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 Renfrewshire was 30 to
34 (654 births), the same as in 2004. The least common age group of
mothers in Renfrewshire was 0 to 19 (33 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 (-77.9%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+24.6%).
The total fertility rate in Renfrewshire increased from 1.31 in 2023 to
1.32 in 2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Renfrewshire had
the joint 24th 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, 624 marriages were registered in Renfrewshire. This is a 2.8%
increase from 607 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Renfrewshire had the 15th 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, 17 civil partnerships were registered in
Renfrewshire, of which 15 were mixed-sex and 2 were same-sex.
Renfrewshire had the 14th 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 2,275 deaths in Renfrewshire. This is a 3.6%
increase from 2,195 deaths in 2023. Of these 2,275 deaths, 1,160 (51.0%)
were female and 1,115 (49.0%) were male.
In Renfrewshire, the standardised death rate increased from 11.9 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 12.3 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, Renfrewshire 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
Renfrewshire have increased in number. In 2024, a higher number of
female (1,160) than male (1,115) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in
Renfrewshire in 2024 was 9.7% higher and the number of male deaths was
16.8% 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
(385) 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 (242) and for males,
the most common age groups were 80 to 84, 85 to 89 (175).
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 Renfrewshire, the leading cause of death for males in 2024 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (13.0% 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
(13.7%), followed by Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (7.5%).
In Renfrewshire, the leading cause of death for females in 2024 was
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (14.5% of all female deaths), followed
by Ischaemic heart diseases (9.0%). 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 Renfrewshire, life expectancy at birth was higher for females (80.6
years) than for males (76.1 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 Renfrewshire, 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 Renfrewshire has risen by 3.3%. This is the 7th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+2.4%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at
birth in Renfrewshire has risen by 5.8%. This is the 6th 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 Renfrewshire, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females
(19.6 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 Renfrewshire, 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 Renfrewshire has risen by 12.3%. This is the 5th 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 Renfrewshire has risen by 19.3%. This is the 3rd 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 Renfrewshire was 87,749. This is a
0.2% increase from 87,576 households in 2023. In comparison, the number
of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Renfrewshire had the 9th 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 Renfrewshire has
increased by 16.4%. This is the 16th 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 Renfrewshire is
projected to increase from 85,745 to 90,601. This is a 5.7% increase,
which compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Renfrewshire is projected to have the 9th 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.
Renfrewshire is projected to have the 9th highest 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 (43.0%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (7.3%) in Renfrewshire.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Three or more adults” is
projected to see the largest percentage decrease (-4.3%) and the
household type “One adult” is projected to see the largest percentage
increase (+8.9%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-27.0%) and the 75 to 79 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+26.4%). 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 Renfrewshire was 91,736. This is a
0.6% increase from 91,192 in 2023. In comparison, the number of
dwellings in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Renfrewshire had the 9th 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 Renfrewshire has
increased by 13.6%. This is the 22nd highest percentage change out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland and a less rapid change than for
Scotland as a whole (+18.1%).
In Renfrewshire, Council Tax band B was most common (28.2%) in 2024,
followed by Council Tax band C (16.8%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band
H was the least common (0.2%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B
was the most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least
common in Scotland.
