Scotland’s population reached 5.55 million on 30 June 2024
Scotland’s population, 1949 to 2024
Main points
- Scotland’s population was estimated to be 5,546,900 at mid-2024 (30 June 2024).
- The population increased by 40,900 (0.7%) in the year to mid-2024.
- Migration was the main driver of population growth over the latest year. Net international migration was +42,600 in the year to mid-2024. Net migration between elsewhere in the UK and Scotland was +13,800.
- Net migration was positive in all of Scotland’s 32 council areas over the latest year.
- The number of deaths registered in Scotland was greater than the number of births. There were more deaths than births in all council areas except Midlothian.
- Scotland’s population is ageing. An estimated 20.5% of the population were aged 65 and over, an increase from 16.2% in the two decades since mid-2004. Around 16.2% were aged 0 to 15 years, a decrease from 18.4% in mid-2004.
- The populations of the two largest cities, and some of their neighbouring council areas, grew the most in the year to mid-2024. Glasgow City grew by 1.8% (11,540 people), Midlothian by 1.5% (1,510 people), City of Edinburgh by 1.2% (6,540 people), East Lothian by 1.2% (1,370 people) and West Lothian by 1.2% (2,170 people).
- The populations of five council areas fell between mid-2023 and mid-2024. The largest falls were seen in Argyll and Bute (-0.3%, 270 people), Angus (-0.1%, 140 people) and Dundee City (-0.1%, 150 people). The populations of Na h-Eileanan Siar and Dumfries and Galloway also fell.
- These estimates reflect a planned revision to the mid-2023 population estimates (first published on 8 October 2024). The estimated population of Scotland on 30 June 2023 has been revised from 5,490,100 to 5,506,000. This revision reflects the latest estimates of international migration from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Scotland’s population at mid-2024
We estimate that Scotland’s population on 30 June 2024 was 5,546,900 people. This is the highest Scotland’s population has ever been.
Scotland’s population has been growing since the turn of the century. Between mid-2023 and mid-2024 the population increased by 40,900 people (0.7%). Figure 1 shows the annual population change for each year since mid-1949.
Figure 1: The population increase between 2023 and 2024 was higher than the average for the previous twenty years
Annual population change (%), Scotland, 1949 to 2024
The population estimates for mid-2024 will be revised in 2026 when mid-2025 population estimates are published. Both the revised mid-2024 and mid-2025 population estimates will take account of the latest international migration estimates available at that time. More information on future revisions to mid-year population estimates can be found here.
This publication is accompanied by interactive charts and time series data, which allow users to view data for a particular area, and see how it has changed over time.
What has caused the growth in population?
Population change is driven by two main components, natural change and net migration:
- Natural change is the number of births minus the number of deaths.
- Net migration is the number of people moving into an area minus the number of people leaving.
In the year to mid-2024, there were:
- 46,400 births, and
- 62,000 deaths in Scotland.
This resulted in a ‘natural change’ of -15,700.
There have been more deaths than births in each of the last 10 years (Figure 2). The difference between births and deaths was smaller in the year to mid-2024 than in the previous year, when natural change was -19,100. This was mainly because there were fewer deaths.
In the year to mid-2024:
- 124,600 people moved to Scotland; and
- 68,200 people moved out of Scotland.
This resulted in total net migration being +56,400. Figure 2 shows that migration has been adding to Scotland’s population for the last 24 years, as more people have moved to Scotland than left each year.
Figure 2: More people moved into Scotland than left, while deaths exceeded births
Natural change and net migration, Scotland, 1960 to 2024
There are two types of migration flows which add to Scotland’s population:
- International – moves between Scotland and countries outside of the UK
- Rest of the UK – moves between Scotland and other countries in the UK
International moves in and out of Scotland
This section describes the provisional estimates of international migration into and out of Scotland in the year to mid-2024. Please see International migration in the Background notes section for more information on sources of migration data.
In the year to mid-2024:
- international immigration into Scotland was 76,100; and
- international emigration from Scotland was 33,500.
This resulted in net international migration being +42,600. This is one of the highest figures on record, although it is lower than the previous year’s (+63,500).
Figure 3 shows that the number of people moving to Scotland from outside the UK fell by around 16% (14,600 people) in the year to mid-2024, compared to the previous year. Yet it was still higher than the average over the twenty years to mid-2023 (50,900 people). The number moving out of Scotland to destinations outside the UK was around 24% higher (6,400 people) than in the previous year and close to the average over the twenty years to mid-2023 (33,600).
Note that, due to rounding, migration figures may not add up exactly.
Figure 3: International immigration has fallen but remains historically high
Rest of UK and international in and out migration, Scotland, 2000 to 2024
Moves between Scotland and the rest of the UK
In the year to mid-2024, more people moved to Scotland from the rest of the UK than moved to the rest of the UK from Scotland:
- 48,400 people moved from the rest of the UK to Scotland.
- 34,600 people moved from Scotland to the rest of the UK.
This resulted in net migration from the rest of the UK being +13,800.
Over the two years to mid-2024, migration from the rest of the UK to Scotland has been at a level similar to that seen in the five years (2015-19) before the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, it had fallen in the year to mid-2020 (at the start of the pandemic), then increased in the year to mid-2021, remaining higher than usual the following year. Migration from Scotland to the rest of the UK also fell in the year to mid-2020 and subsequently increased, but over the last two years has been below its five-year average (2015-19) from before the pandemic. As a result, net migration from the rest of the UK remains higher than it was before the pandemic.
There were also 119,400 moves between council areas in Scotland in the year to mid-2024. This does not affect Scotland’s total population.
Other changes
Other changes over the year to mid-2024 resulted in a small increase of 200 people across Scotland.
‘Other changes’ include:
- Changes in the prison population;
- Changes in the number of armed forces personnel based in Scotland; and
- The effects of rounding.
Population across Scotland
Figure 4 shows the total estimated population at mid-year (30 June 2024) in each council area in Scotland.
Figure 4: The population of council areas in Scotland ranged from 650,300 in Glasgow City to 22,020 in Orkney Islands
Population by council area, 2024
Glasgow City had the highest population (650,300), followed by City of Edinburgh (530,680) and then Fife (374,760). Council areas which are mainly rural tend to have lower estimated populations than mainly urban ones. However, Aberdeenshire had the sixth highest estimated population (265,080) and Highland had the seventh highest (237,290).
The three island council areas had the lowest estimated populations in Scotland: Na h-Eileanan Siar (26,020), Shetland Islands (23,190), and Orkney Islands (22,020).
The age structure of the population
Figure 5 shows the number of females and males for each year of age, from 0 to 90 and over. The effect of a lower birth rate in recent decades can be seen at younger age groups, with the effect of the high birth rate following the Second World War showing around ages 73 to 77. At older ages, the number of females is much higher than the number of males due to higher female life expectancy.
Figure 5: There are more females than males in older age groups
Population by single year of age and sex, Scotland, 2024
Figure 6 shows the percentage of the population in three age groups (0 to 15 years, 16 to 64 years, 65 years and over) in each of Scotland’s council areas.
In mid-2024, the four largest cities in Scotland (Glasgow City, City of Edinburgh, Aberdeen City and Dundee City) had the highest percentages of population aged 16 to 64 years, as well as some of the lowest percentages of people aged 65 and over.
The areas with the lowest percentages of children (aged 0 to 15 years) included Argyll and Bute (13.9%), City of Edinburgh (14.4%), Na h-Eileanan Siar (14.6%) and Dumfries and Galloway (14.8%). The highest figures were all in areas which border cities - East Renfrewshire (20.0%), Midlothian (18.8%), West Lothian (18.4%), Aberdeenshire (17.9%) and East Dunbartonshire (17.7%).
Rural and island areas tended to have an older age profile. The highest percentages of people aged 65 and over were in Dumfries and Galloway (28.0%), Argyll and Bute (27.7%), Scottish Borders (27.4%) and Na h-Eileanan Siar (27.4%).
Figure 6: Rural areas tend to have the highest percentages of people aged 65 and over
Age structure of council areas, 2024
Figures are rounded so may not add up to 100%. Ordered by percentage aged 65 and over.
How has the age structure of the population changed?
Scotland’s population has been increasing but the growth has differed by age group.
In the two decades since mid-2004, the number of people aged:
- 0 to 15 years has decreased by 4.4% (-40,900 people).
- 16 to 64 years has increased by 5.7% (+189,900 people).
- 65 years and over has increased by 38.0% (+313,600 people).
Figure 7 shows the change in population by age group since 2004.
Figure 7: The number of people aged 0 to 15 years has fallen, whilst the number aged 65 and over has increased
Percentage change in age group, Scotland, 2004 to 2024
Population change across Scotland
Population change varied across Scotland. In the year to mid-2024, the population grew in 26 council areas and decreased in 5 council areas. The population of Orkney Islands remained constant over the year.
Figure 8 and Figure 9 show how population change between mid-2023 and mid-2024 varied across the country. Glasgow City grew by 1.8% (11,540 people), Midlothian by 1.5% (1,510 people), City of Edinburgh by 1.2% (6,540 people), East Lothian by 1.2% (1,370 people) and West Lothian by 1.2% (2,170 people). In contrast, the population of Argyll and Bute fell by 0.3% (270 people), Angus by 0.1% (140 people), Dundee City by 0.1% (150 people) and Na h-Eileanan Siar by 0.1% (20 people).
Figure 8: The largest population increases were in the cities and some neighbouring areas
Population change by council area, 2023 to 2024
Figure 9: The population has increased in 26 council areas and has fallen in 5
Population change by council area, 2023 to 2024
Why has the population of an area changed?
Figure 10 shows the components driving population change in council areas between mid-2023 and mid-2024. The main components of population change are natural change and net migration.
Other smaller changes come from the prison population and number of armed forces personnel based in Scotland, and small rounding adjustments.
In the year to mid-2024, net migration was positive in all of Scotland’s 32 council areas. In contrast, natural change (births minus deaths) was negative in 31 council areas. The exception was Midlothian, where there were 99 more births than deaths.
More information about the population and components of population change for the year to mid-2024 are available from the data tables on the NRS website.
Figure 10: In every council area, more people have moved in than have moved out
Components of population change by council area, 2023 to 2024
How has the age structure of the population changed in Scottish areas?
Figures 11-13 show how the population has changed in broad age groups over the decade to mid-2024.
- Most areas have seen a decrease in the population of children aged 0 to 15 (Figure 11). Areas with the greatest decrease in population aged 0 to 15 were mainly rural and island areas. Many of the areas which had a large decrease in the population aged 0 to 15 also saw a large decline in the population aged 16 to 64 (Na h-Eileanan Siar, North Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway and Angus) (Figure 12). In contrast, Midlothian (15.0%), East Renfrewshire (11.7%) and Aberdeen City (11.2%) saw the largest increases in population aged 0 to 15.
- All 32 Scottish council areas have seen an increase in their population aged 65 and over in the last decade (Figure 13). The greatest increases in the population aged 65 and over were in East Lothian (28.3%) and Aberdeenshire (27.4%).
Figure 11: The number of people aged 0 to 15 years has decreased in most council areas since 2014
Percentage change in 0 to 15 age group by council area
Figure 12: The number of people aged 16 to 64 years has decreased in most council areas since 2014
Percentage change in 16 to 64 age group by council area, 2014 to 2024
Figure 13: The number of people aged 65 years and over has increased in all council areas since 2014
Percentage change in 65 and over age group by council area, 2014 to 2024
Background notes
Revised mid-2023 population estimates
The mid-2023 population estimates, first published on 8 October 2024, have been revised as part of this publication to take account of updated estimates of international migration. The revised estimate of the population of Scotland for mid-2023 is 5,506,000; this is higher than the original estimate of 5,490,100 published on 8 October 2024.
These revised figures estimate net international migration between mid-2022 and mid-2023 to have been +63,500. The figures originally published estimated net international migration over that period to be +47,700. The revised figures indicate that international immigration was higher than originally estimated and that international emigration was lower than originally estimated. More detailed breakdowns can be found in the updated migration tables.
The estimates of all other components of population change during this period are unchanged. The data tables accompanying this publication include a revised components of population change table for mid-2022 to mid-2023.
How are population estimates calculated?
- Population estimates are based on the census and are updated each year to account for population change from 1 July to 30 June. They are based on the usually resident population which covers people living in Scotland for a period of at least 12 months, whatever their nationality. The three elements of population change are:
- Natural change: births minus deaths
- Net migration: the difference between long-term moves into and out of Scotland
- Other changes: changes in the armed forces, prison population and any rounding adjustments
International migration
The estimates of international migration into and out of Scotland which inform these population estimates are based on figures produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). They are based on the provisional long-term international migration estimates for the year ending June 2024, included in ONS’ May 2025 publication, which are classed as being official statistics in development. They are based on administrative and survey data using a range of data sources, and are part of an ongoing programme of work to transform population and migration statistics.
How are population estimates used?
Population estimates are used for a variety of purposes including:
- Resource allocation
- Planning of services such as education and health
- Informing local and national policy
- Modelling the economy
- As a base for demographic projections
- Incorporating into a range of other official statistics
Strengths and limitations
It is important to have high quality statistics on the latest population (mid-year population estimates). NRS produces detailed annual estimates on the resident population of Scotland using a range of data gathered from statistical censuses and surveys, as well as administrative data. There are processes in place to check the suitability of these sources.
Quality assurance takes place throughout the production of population estimates, with checks in place to ensure consistency and completeness. More information on the quality assurance arrangements for administrative data used in population estimates is available on the NRS website, along with information on the suitability of each data source used in the production of the population estimates.
It is important to consider the limitations when using population estimates. The population estimates use the census as the base population. Population change is applied to the base population each year to create the annual population estimates.
Migration is the most difficult part of the population estimates to estimate precisely, as migratory moves are not registered in the UK, either at the national or local level. The best proxy data available on a consistent basis, such as patient registers, other administrative data and surveys, are used to estimate migration. NRS are part of a cross-government transformation programme, being led by the Office for National Statistics, to improve population and migration statistics through greater use of administrative data sources.
Future developments
The methodology used in the mid-year estimates changes as different methods and data sources become available to NRS. Any improvements to the data sources and methodology of these statistics are discussed and assessed with the Population and Migration Statistics Committee (Scotland).
Transformation of population and migration statistics
NRS are working with the Office for National Statistics, and other Government Statistical Service partners, as part of the transformation programme to improve population and migration statistics.
NRS’ Administrative Data Based Population, Household and Ethnicity Estimates - Statistical Research
NRS is carrying out a research project to investigate administrative data collected by public bodies and services, which could be used to produce alternative estimates of population, households and ethnicity. The aim is to see whether it is possible to produce statistics that are more accurate, timely, and/ or better meet users' needs.
The most recent sets of Administrative Data Based Population, Household and Ethnicity Estimates (2016-2022) - Statistical Research were published by NRS in February 2025. These are not Official Statistics, and they do not replace the figures in this report. They have been created to allow a discussion with users about the use of administrative data within the field of demographic statistics.
Links to related statistics
The first results from Scotland’s Census 2022 were published on 14 September 2023. The Scotland’s Census website contains census results, information, and planned dates for future publications.
The Population, migration and households section of the NRS website contains population projections, small area population estimates and other statistics.
Population estimates for the UK and its constituent countries are available from the Office for National Statistics website.
Information about our statistics
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