WIREDGOV

Comment on ONS migrant figures.

New figures released yesterday by the Office of National Statistics show an increase in the number of international migrants coming to the UK.

The figures follow overall population estimates, a set of different statistics published by the National Records of Scotland last month, showing that migration from the UK and Overseas was a key contributor population growth in Scotland.

Minister for Europe and International Development Humza Yousaf said yesterday:

"International migrants make important economic, social and cultural contributions to our communities and I welcome today’s figures. Migrants are an important part of Scotland’s future, both in terms of contributing to sustainable economic growth and mitigating the effects of demographic change.

"We work hard to attract the best international talent to Scotland and those who choose to make Scotland their home will always be welcomed. The Scottish Government welcomes the contribution new Scots can make to our economy and society and the recent migration estimates from the National Records of Scotland show that Scotland is an attractive and dynamic nation, bringing in people who are looking to contribute to our success."

Notes To Editors

Please note that the Migration Statistics Quarterly Report (Published By ONS) and Immigration Statistics (Published By The Home Office) do not contains regional data for home nations.

The latest estimates of Scottish in-ward migration to Scotland are available in the of Mid-2014 Population Estimates Scotland published by the National Record for Scotland (http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2015/scotlands-population-at-its-highest-ever)

Between mid-2013 and mid-2014, approximately 49,240 people came to Scotland from the rest of the UK, and approximately 39,660 left Scotland to go in the opposite direction, giving a net migration gain of approximately 9,600.

Between mid-2013 and mid-2014, 33,200 people came to Scotland from overseas and 25,200 left Scotland to go overseas giving a net migration gain of 8,000, which represents about 1 in 700 (0.14 per cent) of the total population.

The NRS figures showed that migrants to Scotland tended to be younger than the general population. Over two thirds of migrants from overseas were aged 16-34 years. In the population as a whole, only a quarter were in this age group. Only one per cent of people entering from overseas were aged 65 and over.