Aberdeenshire
Council Area
Profile
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
Last updated: July 2022
Likely next update: Summer 2024
Mid-2021 Population Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
On 30 June 2021, the population of Aberdeenshire was 262,690. This is
an increase of 0.7% from 260,780 in 2020. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.3%.
View Source Table
Aberdeenshire had the 6th highest population in 2021, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2020 and 2021, 8 councils saw a population decrease and 24 councils saw a population increase.
View Source Table
Between 2001 and 2021, the population of Aberdeenshire has increased
by 15.8%. This is the 6th highest percentage change out of the 32
council areas in Scotland. Over the same period, Scotland’s population
rose by 8.2%.
View Source Table
In 2021, there were more females (50.3%) than males (49.7%) living in
Aberdeenshire. There were also more females (51.2%) than males (48.8%)
living in Scotland overall.
View Source Table
In terms of overall size, the 45 to 64 age group was the largest in
2021, with a population of 76,227. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 22,755. In 2021, more females
than males lived in Aberdeenshire in 4 out of 6 age groups.
View Source Table
Between 2001 and 2021, the 25 to 44 age group saw the largest
percentage decrease (-5.9%). The 65 to 74 age group saw the largest
percentage increase (+71.7%).
View Source Table
Population Projections
Last updated: March 2020
Likely next update: Early 2025
2018-based Population Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2018 and 2028, the population of Aberdeenshire is projected
to increase from 261,470 to 267,896. This is an increase of 2.5%, which
compares to a projected increase of 1.8% for Scotland as a whole.
View Source Table
Aberdeenshire is projected to have the 6th highest population out of the 32 council areas in Scotland in 2028. Between 2018 and 2028, 14 councils are projected to see a population decrease and 18 councils are projected to see a population increase.
View Source Table
Aberdeenshire is projected to have the 11th highest percentage change
in population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
View Source Table
Over the next 10 years, the population of Aberdeenshire is projected
to decrease by 0.3% 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 2.8% over the same period.
View Source Table
The average age of the population of Aberdeenshire is projected to
increase as the baby boomer generation ages and more people are expected
to live longer.
View Source Table
Between 2018 and 2028, the 0 to 15 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-5.3%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+39.6%). In terms of
size, however, 45 to 64 is projected to remain the largest age group.
View Source Table
View Source Table
Births
Last updated: July 2023
Likely next update: July 2024
2022 Births by Council Area in Scotland
In 2022, there were 2,159 births in Aberdeenshire. This is a decrease
of 7.7% from 2,339 births in 2021. Of these 2,159 births, 1,067 (49.4%)
were female and 1,092 (50.6%) were male.
View Source Table
In Aberdeenshire, the standardised birth rate decreased from 10.9 per 1,000 population in 2021 to 10.1 in 2022. In comparison, the rate in Scotland overall decreased from 8.7 to 8.6.
In 2022, Aberdeenshire was the council area with the 7th highest
standardised birth rate. Between 2021 and 2022, 21 councils saw a
decrease in standardised birth rate and 8 councils saw an increase.
There were 3 councils that saw no change.
View Source Table
In 2022, the most common age group of mothers in Aberdeenshire was 30
to 34 (853 births), the same as in 2002. The least common age group of
mothers in Aberdeenshire was 0 to 19 (29 births), which is a change from
the 40 and over age group in 2002.
View Source Table
Between 2002 and 2022, the 0 to 19 age group has seen the largest
percentage decrease in births (-72.1%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+50.0%).
View Source Table
The total fertility rate in Aberdeenshire decreased from 1.67 in 2021 to 1.54 in 2022. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Aberdeenshire had the 6th highest rate in 2022 and this is higher than the rate of 1.28 for Scotland as a whole.
View Source Table
Deaths
Last updated: July 2023
Likely next update: July 2024
2022 Deaths by Council Area in Scotland
In 2022, there were 2,615 deaths in Aberdeenshire. This is a 1.4%
decrease from 2,653 deaths in 2021. Of these 2,615 deaths, 1,279 (48.9%)
were female and 1,336 (51.1%) were male.
View Source Table
In Aberdeenshire, the standardised death rate decreased from 10.2 per 1,000 population in 2021 to 9.9 in 2022. In comparison, the rate in Scotland overall decreased from 11.6 to 11.5.
In 2022, Aberdeenshire was the council area with the 29th highest standardised death rate. Between 2021 and 2022, 25 councils saw a decrease in standardised death rate and 7 councils saw an increase.
View Source Table
Between 2002 and 2022, both female and male deaths registered in
Aberdeenshire have increased in number. In 2022, a lower number of
female (1,279) than male (1,336) deaths were registered.
View Source Table
In comparison to 2002, the number of female deaths registered in
Aberdeenshire in 2022 was 17.8% higher and the number of male deaths was
35.2% higher. At Scotland level, the number of female deaths registered
in 2022 was 4.3% higher and the number of male deaths was 12.8% higher.
View Source Table
In 2022, the 85 to 89 age group saw the highest number of total
deaths (476) and the 1 to 4, 10 to 14 age groups saw the fewest (1). For
females, the most common age group was 90 and over (308) and for males,
the most common age group was 85 to 89 (245).
View Source Table
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 Aberdeenshire, the leading cause of death for males in 2022 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (13.8% of all male deaths), followed by
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (7.6%). In Scotland overall, the
leading cause of death for males was also Ischaemic heart diseases
(14.0%), followed by Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (6.8%).
View Source Table
In Aberdeenshire, the leading cause of death for females in 2022 was
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (13.0% of all female deaths), followed
by Ischaemic heart diseases (8.6%). In Scotland overall, the leading
cause of death for females was also Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
(13.1%), followed by Ischaemic heart diseases (8.7%).
View Source Table
Life Expectancy
Last updated: September 2023
Likely next update: September/October 2024
Life Expectancy in 2019-21 by Council Area in Scotland*
In Aberdeenshire, life expectancy at birth was higher for females (82.0 years) than for males (78.8 years) in 2019-21. Male life expectancy at birth has increased more rapidly than female life expectancy at birth between 2001-03 and 2019-21.
In Aberdeenshire, life expectancy at birth is higher than at Scotland
level for both females and males.
View Source Table for
females
View Source Table for males
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2019-21, female life expectancy
at birth in Aberdeenshire has risen by 1.5%. This is the joint 28th
highest percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and
this is lower than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+2.4%).
View Source Table
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2019-21, male life expectancy at
birth in Aberdeenshire has risen by 3.5%. This is the joint 21st highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
lower than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+4.1%).
View Source Table
In Aberdeenshire, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females (20.5 years) than for males (18.3 years) in 2019-21. Male life expectancy at age 65-69 has increased more rapidly than female life expectancy at age 65-69 between 2001-03 and 2019-21.
In Aberdeenshire, life expectancy at age 65-69 is higher than at
Scotland level for both females and males.
View Source Table for females
View Source Table for males
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2019-21, female life expectancy
at age 65-69 in Aberdeenshire has risen by 6.4%. This is the 25th
highest percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and
this is lower than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+8.7%).
View Source Table
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2019-21, male life expectancy at
age 65-69 in Aberdeenshire has risen by 12.7%. This is the 29th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
lower than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+15.3%).
View Source Table
*Please note that the Scotland-level life expectancy estimate shown here is for use only as a comparator for the corresponding sub-Scotland-level figures. The definitive Scotland-level life expectancy estimate (based on national life tables) is published in the National Life Tables section of the NRS website.
Migration
Last updated: July 2022
Likely next update: Summer 2024
Mid-2021 Migration by Council Area in Scotland
In the period 2020-21, the level of in-migration in Aberdeenshire was
9,510, a 49.8% increase from 6,350 in the period 2019-20. The level of
out-migration in Aberdeenshire was 7,280, which is a 12.3% increase from
6,480 in 2019-20.
View Source Table
In 2020-21, Aberdeenshire had the 4th highest level of net migration out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 2,240 people. This is an increase of 2,370 from -130 people in 2019-20.
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.
View Source Table
*Please note that totals have been rounded to the nearest ten at
council level.
In Aberdeenshire, the net migration rate increased from -0.5 people per 1,000 population in 2019-20 to 8.5 in 2020-21. In comparison, the rate in Scotland overall increased from 3.1 to 5.1 people per 1,000 population.
In 2020-21, Aberdeenshire was the council area with the 12th highest
net migration rate, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between
2019-20 and 2020-21, 7 councils saw a decrease in net migration rates
per 1,000 population and 25 councils saw an increase.
View Source Table
In the period 2020-21, net migration in Aberdeenshire was higher for
females (1,244) than for males (992). The age group with the highest
level of total net migration was 35 to 39 (412). In contrast, the age
group with the lowest level of net migration was 15 to 19 (-195).
View Source Table
Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Last updated: July 2023
Likely next update: July 2024
2022 Marriages by Council Area in Scotland
In 2022, 1,401 marriages were registered in Aberdeenshire. This is a
25.7% increase from 1,115 in 2021. In comparison, the number of
marriages registered in Scotland overall increased by 23.7%.
View Source Table
Aberdeenshire had the 6th highest number of marriage registrations in 2022, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2021 and 2022, 3 councils saw a decrease in marriage registrations and 29 councils saw an increase.
View Source Table
2022 Civil Partnerships by Council Area in Scotland
In Scotland overall, there were 630 civil partnerships in 2022, which is an increase of 26.3% from 2021.
Since June 2021 mixed-sex couples have been able to form a civil
partnership. In 2022, 17 civil partnerships were registered in
Aberdeenshire, of which 14 were mixed-sex and 3 were same-sex.
View Source Table
Aberdeenshire had the joint 8th highest number of civil partnership
registrations in 2022, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between
2021 and 2022, 6 councils saw a decrease in civil partnership
registrations and 23 councils saw an increase. There were 3 councils
that saw no change.
View Source Table
Household Estimates
Last updated: June 2023
Likely next update: June 2024
Mid-2022 Household Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
In 2022, the number of households in Aberdeenshire was 114,897. This
is a 0.9% increase from 113,861 households in 2021. In comparison, the
number of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
View Source Table
Aberdeenshire had the 6th highest number of households in 2022, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2021 and 2022, all councils saw an increase in the number of households.
View Source Table
In comparison to 2001, the number of households in Aberdeenshire has
increased by 26.4%. This is the 4th highest percentage change out of the
32 council areas in Scotland and a more rapid change than at Scotland
level (+16.2%).
View Source Table
Household Projections
Last updated: September 2020
Likely next update: July 2025
2018-based Household Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2018 and 2028, the number of households in Aberdeenshire is
projected to increase from 111,156 to 117,844. This is a 6.0% increase,
which compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
View Source Table
Aberdeenshire is projected to have the 6th 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.
View Source Table
Aberdeenshire is projected to have the 8th highest percentage change
in household numbers out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
View Source Table
In 2028, the household type “Two adults” is projected to remain the
most common (36.8%) and the household type “One adult, one or more
children” is projected to remain the least common (3.5%) in
Aberdeenshire.
View Source Table
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Two or more adults, one or
more children” is projected to see the largest percentage decrease
(-2.5%) and the household type “One adult” is projected to see the
largest percentage increase (+11.3%).
View Source Table
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-15.2%) and the 80 to 84 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+53.4%). 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.
View Source Table
View Source Table
Dwellings
Last updated: June 2023
Likely next update: June 2024
2022 Dwellings by Council Area in Scotland
In 2022, the number of dwellings in Aberdeenshire was 121,610. This
is a 0.8% increase from 120,682 in 2021. In comparison, the number of
dwellings in Scotland overall increased by 0.9%.
View Source Table
Aberdeenshire had the 8th highest number of dwellings in 2022, out of
all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2021 and 2022, all councils
saw an increase in the number of dwellings.
View Source Table
Compared with 2001, the number of dwellings in Aberdeenshire has
increased by 25.4%. This is the 5th highest percentage change out of the
32 council areas in Scotland and a more rapid change than for Scotland
as a whole (+16.3%).
View Source Table
In Aberdeenshire, Council Tax band E was most common (18.4%) in 2022,
followed by Council Tax band A (16.9%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band
H was the least common (0.5%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B
was the most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least
common in Scotland.
View Source Table
Tables
Mid-2021 Population Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
Total population, Aberdeenshire, 2001-2021
View Chart
| Year | Population | % change from 2001 | Scotland % change from 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 226,940 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2002 | 228,830 | 0.8 |