In 2008, as in recent years, there were interesting changes in Scotland’s population. The total population in the middle of 2008 was the highest since 1981. The number of births was the highest since 1995 – the sixth yearly increase in a row. For the third year in a row the number of births was higher than the number of deaths – and that natural increase (of over 4000) was the highest since 1992. Scotland continued to be an attractive place for people to move to. Between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008, more people came to Scotland than left – 11500 from the rest of the UK and 7700 from overseas. Though the overseas figure was slightly lower than in 2007, there was little evidence that the recession was having an effect on the size of Scotland’s population.
The population figure from the middle of 2008 gave us the first opportunity to measure progress against the target the Scottish Government set in November 2007 – to match the average population growth of the countries in the European Union before new members joined in 2004 (EU 15), over the period from 2007 to 2017. In the first year the target applied, Scotland’s population increased by 0.47% but EU 15 population growth was slightly higher (0.60%). So, for that first year, Scotland’s population was not quite on track to achieve the long-term target.
Migration plays a large part in how the population changes, but we do not know enough about the number and characteristics of the people who move in and out of Scotland (including how long they stay). The UK does not have a detailed system of recording the number of people who move in and out of the country, particularly those leaving. My department is closely involved in work to improve migration statistics, led by the Office for National Statistics. We plan to use the improved information to publish better estimates of the population, including:
My department is also publishing a wider range of other statistics, in response to demand from people who use them. Recent examples include:
Each year, my report includes a chapter on a ‘special subject’ which is part of our work. This year, the topic is improving the registration service in response to the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006. The Act was the first major reform of the registration service since 1965 and was designed to improve the service in a variety of ways. The Act has made life easier for the people of Scotland. People can now register births and deaths anywhere in Scotland, rather than only in the registration district where the person lived, or where the event took place. In 2008, almost 5900 events (about one in 20 of all births and deaths) were registered in a place which would not have been possible before the Act. The arrangements for change of name were speeded up and the number of applications increased by almost 50% between 2006 and 2007. Registration information was used more widely to prevent fraud and to help local councils improve how efficient they are. Scotland can now be proud that we have the most modern and customer-friendly registration service in the UK, and indeed in Europe.