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 Shetland Islands was 23,190. This is
an increase of 0.4% from 23,100 in 2023. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.7%.
Shetland Islands had the 2nd lowest 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 Shetland Islands has increased
by 5.6%. This is the 22nd 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 fewer females (49.9%) than males (50.1%) living in
Shetland Islands. There were contrastingly 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 6,409. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 2,038. In 2024, more females than
males lived in Shetland Islands in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, the 0 to 15 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-16.1%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+70.6%).
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 Shetland Islands was
790, a 2.5% decrease from 810 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in Shetland Islands was 640, which is the same as in
2022-23.
In 2023-24, Shetland Islands had the 2nd lowest level of net migration
out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 150 people.
This is a decrease of 20 from 170 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 Shetland Islands, the net migration rate decreased from 7.4 people
per 1,000 population in 2022-23 to 6.5 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, Shetland Islands was the council area with the 23rd 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 Shetland Islands was higher for
females (77) than for males (69). The age group with the highest level
of total net migration was 30 to 34 (60). In contrast, the age group
with the lowest level of net migration was 15 to 19 (-28).
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 Shetland Islands is projected
to increase from 23,020 to 23,041. This is an increase of 0.1%, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.4% for Scotland as a whole.
Shetland Islands is projected to have the 2nd lowest 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.
Shetland Islands 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 Shetland Islands is projected
to decrease by 2.2% 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 2.9% over the same period.
The average age of the population of Shetland Islands 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 (-19.7%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+34.0%). 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 166 births in Shetland Islands. This is a decrease
of 6.2% from 177 births in 2023. Of these 166 births, 88 (53.0%) were
female and 78 (47.0%) were male.
In Shetland Islands, the standardised birth rate decreased from 9.0 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 8.4 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall in 2023 was 8.3 and remained the same in 2024.
In 2024, Shetland Islands was the council area with the joint 24th
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 Shetland Islands was 25
to 29 (54 births), the same as in 2004. The least common age group of
mothers in Shetland Islands was 0 to 19 (3 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 (-66.7%) and the 35 to 39 age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+15.6%).
The total fertility rate in Shetland Islands decreased from 1.43 in 2023
to 1.29 in 2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Shetland
Islands had the 26th 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, 87 marriages were registered in Shetland Islands. This is a
29.9% increase from 67 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Shetland Islands had the lowest 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, 2 civil partnerships were registered in Shetland
Islands, of which 2 were mixed-sex and 0 were same-sex.
Shetland Islands had the 2nd lowest 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 225 deaths in Shetland Islands. This is a 10.7%
decrease from 252 deaths in 2023. Of these 225 deaths, 111 (49.3%) were
female and 114 (50.7%) were male.
In Shetland Islands, the standardised death rate decreased from 10.1 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 8.8 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, Shetland Islands was the council area with the 29th 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, female deaths registered in Shetland Islands have
reduced in number but the number of male deaths has increased. In 2024,
a lower number of female (111) than male (114) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in
Shetland Islands in 2024 was unchanged and the number of male deaths was
21.3% 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
(43) and the 0, 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 (28) and for
males, the most common age group was 80 to 84 (27).
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 Shetland Islands, the leading cause of death for males in 2024 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (14.9% of all male deaths), followed by
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (10.5%). 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 Shetland Islands, the leading cause of death for females in 2024 was
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (13.5% of all female deaths), followed
by Ischaemic heart diseases (12.6%). 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: December 2025
Likely next update: Autumn 2026
Life Expectancy in 2022-2024 by Council Area in Scotland
In Shetland Islands, life expectancy at birth was higher for females
(83.9 years) than for males (79.5 years) in 2022-2024. Male life
expectancy at birth has increased more rapidly than female life
expectancy at birth between 2001-2003 and 2022-2024.
In Shetland Islands, life expectancy at birth is higher than at Scotland
level for both females and males.
Over the period between 2001-2003 and 2022-2024, female life expectancy
at birth in Shetland Islands has risen by 4.0%. This is the joint 4th
highest percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and
this is higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+2.8%).
Over the period between 2001-2003 and 2022-2024, male life expectancy at
birth in Shetland Islands has risen by 8.2%. 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 (+5.0%).
In Shetland Islands, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females
(21.4 years) than for males (19.2 years) in 2022-2024. Male life
expectancy at age 65-69 has increased more rapidly than female life
expectancy at age 65-69 between 2001-2003 and 2022-2024.
In Shetland Islands, life expectancy at age 65-69 is higher than at
Scotland level for both females and males.
Over the period between 2001-2003 and 2022-2024, female life expectancy
at age 65-69 in Shetland Islands has risen by 10.3%. This is the joint
13th highest percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland
and this is higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall
(+9.4%).
Over the period between 2001-2003 and 2022-2024, male life expectancy at
age 65-69 in Shetland Islands has risen by 23.1%. 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 (+17.9%).
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 Shetland Islands was 10,763. This
is a 1.3% increase from 10,621 households in 2023. In comparison, the
number of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Shetland Islands had the lowest 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 Shetland Islands has
increased by 18.1%. This is the 13th 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 Shetland Islands is
projected to increase from 10,384 to 10,742. This is a 3.4% increase,
which compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Shetland Islands is projected to have the lowest 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.
Shetland Islands is projected to have the 19th 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 (34.2%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (3.9%) in Shetland Islands.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Two or more adults, one or
more children” is projected to see the largest percentage decrease
(-4.3%) and the household type “One adult” is projected to see the
largest percentage increase (+6.8%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-20.6%) and the 85 to 89 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+53.3%). 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 Shetland Islands was 11,667. This is
a 0.3% increase from 11,629 in 2023. In comparison, the number of
dwellings in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Shetland Islands had the lowest 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 Shetland Islands has
increased by 17.2%. This is the 16th 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 Shetland Islands, Council Tax band A was most common (29.3%) in 2024,
followed by Council Tax band C (23.8%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band
H was the least common (0.0%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B
was the most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least
common in Scotland.
