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 West Lothian was 186,440. This is an
increase of 1.2% from 184,270 in 2023. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.7%.
West Lothian had the 10th 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 West Lothian has increased by
17.2%. This is the 4th 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 (51.1%) than males (48.9%) living in
West Lothian. 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 52,040. In contrast, the 75 and over age
group was the smallest, with a population of 15,066. In 2024, more
females than males lived in West Lothian in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, the 25 to 44 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-5.0%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+101.4%).
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 West Lothian was
6,740, a 5.2% decrease from 7,110 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in West Lothian was 4,550, which is a 3.2% increase from
4,410 in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, West Lothian had the 9th highest level of net migration out
of the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 2,190 people.
This is a decrease of 510 from 2,700 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 West Lothian, the net migration rate decreased from 14.9 people per
1,000 population in 2022-23 to 11.9 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, West Lothian was the council area with the 8th 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 West Lothian was higher for
females (1,133) than for males (1,059). The age group with the highest
level of total net migration was 30 to 34 (384). In contrast, the age
group with the lowest level of net migration was 55 to 59 (-53).
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 West Lothian is projected to
increase from 181,730 to 190,659. This is an increase of 4.9%, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.4% for Scotland as a whole.
West Lothian is projected to have the 10th 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.
West Lothian is projected to have the 9th highest percentage change in
population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Over the next 10 years, the population of West Lothian is projected to
decrease by 1.6% 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 6.5%
over the same period.
The average age of the population of West Lothian 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 (-8.8%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+30.2%). 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 1,673 births in West Lothian. This is a decrease of
8.5% from 1,828 births in 2023. Of these 1,673 births, 800 (47.8%) were
female and 873 (52.2%) were male.
In West Lothian, the standardised birth rate decreased from 10.2 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 9.3 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall in 2023 was 8.3 and remained the same in 2024.
In 2024, West Lothian was the council area with the 14th 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 West Lothian was 30 to
34 (611 births), the same as in 2004. The least common age group of
mothers in West Lothian 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 (-77.9%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+44.7%).
The total fertility rate in West Lothian decreased from 1.59 in 2023 to
1.45 in 2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, West Lothian had
the joint 12th 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, 698 marriages were registered in West Lothian. This is a 2.2%
decrease from 714 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
West Lothian had the 11th 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, 13 civil partnerships were registered in West
Lothian, of which 11 were mixed-sex and 2 were same-sex.
West Lothian had the 19th 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 1,875 deaths in West Lothian. This is a 0.5%
decrease from 1,884 deaths in 2023. Of these 1,875 deaths, 948 (50.6%)
were female and 927 (49.4%) were male.
In West Lothian, the standardised death rate decreased from 11.9 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 11.6 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, West Lothian was the council area with the 11th 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 West
Lothian have increased in number. In 2024, a higher number of female
(948) than male (927) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in West
Lothian in 2024 was 34.3% higher and the number of male deaths was 43.9%
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
(306) and the 5 to 9, 10 to 14 age groups saw the fewest (0). For
females, the most common age group was 85 to 89 (172) and for males, the
most common age group was 75 to 79 (157).
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 West Lothian, the leading cause of death for males in 2024 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (13.8% of all male deaths), followed by
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (7.8%). 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 West Lothian, 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 (9.7%). 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 West Lothian, life expectancy at birth was higher for females (80.7
years) than for males (76.8 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 West Lothian, female life expectancy at birth is lower than at
Scotland level and male life expectancy at birth is higher than than at
Scotland level.
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
birth in West Lothian has risen by 3.9%. This is the joint 3rd 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 West Lothian has risen by 4.6%. This is the 9th 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 West Lothian, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females
(19.3 years) than for males (17.1 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 West Lothian, 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 West Lothian has risen by 15.6%. 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 (+8.8%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at age
65-69 in West Lothian has risen by 22.2%. This is the 2nd 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 West Lothian was 81,645. This is a
0.8% increase from 81,029 households in 2023. In comparison, the number
of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
West Lothian had the 10th 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 West Lothian has
increased by 25.5%. This is the 6th 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 West Lothian is
projected to increase from 77,953 to 85,634. This is a 9.9% increase,
which compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
West Lothian is projected to have the 10th 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.
West Lothian is projected to have the 4th 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 (31.4%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (8.0%) in West Lothian.
Between 2018 and 2028, each household type increased in number. The
household type “One adult” is projected to see the largest percentage
increase (+14.6%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-17.5%) and the 85 to 89 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+55.4%). 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 West Lothian was 85,453. This is a
0.6% increase from 84,929 in 2023. In comparison, the number of
dwellings in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
West Lothian had the 10th 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 West Lothian has
increased by 28.8%. This is the 3rd 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 West Lothian, Council Tax band B was most common (29.5%) in 2024,
followed by Council Tax band A (20.6%). 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.
