Scotland’s
population continues to rise and reached its highest ever total in
2013.
Statistics
published yesterday by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that the
estimated population of Scotland was 5,327,700 in mid-2013, the highest
ever.
The figures, based
on 2011 Census data, show a rise of 14,100 people since mid-2012.
Commenting on the
statistics, NRS Chief Executive Tim Ellis said:
“Scotland’s population has continued to
grow, reaching its highest ever level last year.
“Scotland’s population increased by 14,100
from mid-2012 to mid-2013 primarily because of a net in-flow of approximately
10,000 more people coming to Scotland than leaving although there were also
around 900 more births than deaths.
“For the
tenth consecutive year more people arrived in Scotland from the rest of the UK
and overseas than left to go in the opposite direction. However, for the first
time in nine years net migration from the rest of the UK was larger than that
from overseas.
“More people
arrived in Scotland from the rest of UK and fewer people left to go in the
opposite direction, compared with the previous year. In contrast, for the third
consecutive year fewer people came to Scotland from overseas than in the
preceding year.”
Main
findings
• The
estimated population of Scotland on 30 June 2013 was 5,327,700, the highest
ever and an increase of 14,100 from the previous year.
• The
population increased because approximately 910 more people were born than died,
and because in-migration exceeded out-migration by approximately 9,960 between
mid-2012 and mid-2013. Other changes, such as in armed forces and prisoners,
resulted in a gain of approximately 3,230 people.
• Between
mid-2012 and mid-2013, approximately 47,700 people came to Scotland from
England, Wales and Northern Ireland and approximately 39,800 left Scotland to
go in the opposite direction giving a net migration gain of 7,900.
• Compared
with the previous year, net migration to Scotland from England, Wales and
Northern Ireland has increased by 4,800, as illustrated by the infographic
below. This is because of an increase of 2,600 in the number of people coming
to Scotland from England, Wales and Northern Ireland and a decrease of 2,300 in
the number of people moving in the opposite direction.
• Between
mid-2012 and mid-2013, 28,200 people came to Scotland from overseas and 26,100
left Scotland to go overseas giving a net migration gain of 2,100. This
represents about 1 in 2,500 (0.04 per cent) of the total population.
• In
comparison with the previous year (i.e. mid-2011 to mid-2012) net migration to
Scotland from overseas fell by 7,600, as illustrated by the infographic above.
This is primarily because of a drop of 7,700 in the number of people coming to
Scotland from overseas.
Mid-2013 population estimates for
Council/NHS Board areas by age and sex
The estimates
published yesterday are for Scotland only and are not split by age and sex.
Estimates for Scotland and its Council/NHS board areas by single year of age
(up to 90+) and sex will be published in June. It was originally intended to
publish these estimates yesterday (30 April 2014), however, an issue affecting
the Council/NHS Board area population totals and age-sex distributions was
identified as needing further work. Therefore the more detailed breakdowns will
now be published in June.
Notes To
Editors
1. The National
Records of Scotland (NRS) was created on 1 April 2011, and incorporates the
former General Register Office for Scotland and National Archives of Scotland.
It is responsible for producing statistics on Scotland’s
population.
2. The report
gives estimated population figures for the whole of Scotland. Previous
years’ population estimates can be downloaded from Mid Year Population Estimates section of the NRS
website.
3. Population
estimates for the UK as a whole will be published by the Office for National
Statistics (ONS) in June 2014. This release date is provisional and further
details can be found on the ONS
website.
4. Information on
births and deaths is derived from registration data for the period from 1 July
2012 to 30 June 2013.
5. Information
about migrants is derived from three key sources of data:
- The
National Health Service Central Register (NHSCR);
- The
Community Health Index (CHI); and
- The
International Passenger Survey (IPS).
The NHSCR provides
information about moves between health board areas within the UK and migration
between council areas within Scotland is estimated using data from the CHI. The
source of the information about overseas migration is primarily the IPS and is
provided by the UK Office for National Statistics. It is based on a small
sample for Scotland and hence there is a higher degree of error than with the
remainder of the population estimates.
6. The UN
definition of an international migrant is someone who changes country of
residence for 12 months or more. So short-term seasonal migrants will not be
counted in the migration estimates nor in the population estimates.
7. Further
statistics on Scotland’s population can be accessed in the Statistics
section of the NRS website.
8. Official
statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff.
General information about population statistics can be accessed in the About
our Statistics section of the NRS website.
Media enquiries
should be directed to: Vicky Crichton 0131 244 2682
Further
information about the statistics is available from:
Customer
Services
National Records
of Scotland
Ladywell
House
Ladywell
Road
Edinburgh EH12
7TF
Tel: 0131 314
4299
E-mail: customer@gro-scotland.gsi.gov.uk