Population estimates produced by National Records of Scotland (NRS) are to retain accredited official statistics status following a review by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR).
These statistics provide the official headline measure of the population in Scotland, as well as for council areas and smaller areas, on an annual basis.
OSR said: "We conclude that the mid-year population estimates produced by NRS continue to meet the standards of the Code of Practice for Statistics and should retain their accredited official statistics status. The statistics offer important insight for users in Scotland on the size, demographic breakdown, and geographical distribution of Scotland’s population. Users expressed confidence in the quality and value of these statistics across a range of use cases within central government, local authorities, and the private and academic sectors. NRS provides clear statistical outputs and methodological information. NRS is also taking positive steps to consider its broader statistical portfolio through its public engagement activity, supporting transparency in its decision making."
The review also identified opportunities for NRS to strengthen these statistics further and includes seven recommendations to support this. NRS has accepted these recommendations and will begin work to address them.
Director of statistics, census and data services, Delphine Robineau, said: “Our statistics and analysis provide vital evidence about Scotland's population for planners and decision makers in Scotland. Retaining accreditation gives them the reassurance that they are working with high quality statistics. NRS thanks OSR and the many stakeholders who provided feedback as part of this review.
“We welcome OSR’s findings and have accepted all their recommendations to help strengthen these statistics further.”
A progress report against the recommendations will be published alongside the next planned release of mid-year population estimates in summer 2027.
