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
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
Mid-2024 Population Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
On 30 June 2024, the population of Argyll and Bute was 87,690. This is a
decrease of 0.3% from 87,960 in 2023. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.7%.
Argyll and Bute had the 27th highest population in 2024, out of all 32
council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, 5 councils saw a
population decrease and 26 councils saw a population increase. There was
1 council that remained the same.
Between 2001 and 2024, the population of Argyll and Bute has decreased
by 4.0%. This is the 30th highest percentage change out of the 32
council areas in Scotland. Over the same period, Scotland’s population
rose by 9.5%.
In 2024, there were more females (50.1%) than males (49.9%) living in
Argyll and Bute. There were also more females (51.4%) than males (48.6%)
living in Scotland overall.
In terms of overall size, the 45 to 64 age group was the largest in
2024, with a population of 25,988. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 7,353. In 2024, more females than
males lived in Argyll and Bute in 3 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, the 0 to 15 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-28.6%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+50.1%).
Migration
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
Mid-2024 Migration by Council Area in Scotland
In the period 2023-24, the level of in-migration in Argyll and Bute was
3,800, a 9.3% decrease from 4,190 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in Argyll and Bute was 3,370, which is a 5.9% decrease
from 3,580 in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, Argyll and Bute had the 27th highest level of net migration
out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 440 people.
This is a decrease of 170 from 610 people in 2022-23.
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.
In Argyll and Bute, the net migration rate decreased from 6.9 people per
1,000 population in 2022-23 to 5.0 in 2023-24. In comparison, the rate
in Scotland overall decreased from 14.2 to 10.2 people per 1,000
population.
In 2023-24, Argyll and Bute was the council area with the 28th highest
net migration rate, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between
2022-23 and 2023-24, 27 councils saw a decrease in net migration rates
per 1,000 population and 5 councils saw an increase.
In the period 2023-24, net migration in Argyll and Bute was higher for
males (306) than for females (129). The age group with the highest level
of total net migration was 55 to 59 (110). In contrast, the age group
with the lowest level of net migration was 15 to 19 (-84).
Population Projections
Source
data
Last updated: October 2025
Likely next update: Winter 2026/27
2022-based Population Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2022 and 2032, the population of Argyll and Bute is projected to
decrease from 87,930 to 87,211. This is a decrease of 0.8%, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.4% for Scotland as a whole.
Argyll and Bute is projected to have the 26th highest population out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland in 2032. Between 2022 and 2032, 9
councils are projected to see a population decrease and 23 councils are
projected to see a population increase.
Argyll and Bute is projected to have the 26th highest percentage change
in population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Over the next 10 years, the population of Argyll and Bute is projected
to decrease by 7.4% 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 6.7% over the same period.
The average age of the population of Argyll and Bute is projected to
increase as the baby boomer generation ages and more people are expected
to live longer.
Between 2022 and 2032, the 0 to 15 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-16.5%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+26.1%). In terms of
size, however, 45 to 64 is projected to remain the largest age group.
Births
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
2024 Births by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, there were 549 births in Argyll and Bute. This is a decrease of
5.2% from 579 births in 2023. Of these 549 births, 272 (49.5%) were
female and 277 (50.5%) were male.
In Argyll and Bute, the standardised birth rate decreased from 9.3 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 9.0 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall in 2023 was 8.3 and remained the same in 2024.
In 2024, Argyll and Bute was the council area with the 17th highest
standardised birth rate. Between 2023 and 2024, 17 councils saw a
decrease in standardised birth rate and 13 councils saw an increase.
There were 2 councils that saw no change.
In 2024, the most common age group of mothers in Argyll and Bute was 30
to 34 (201 births), the same as in 2004. The least common age group of
mothers in Argyll and Bute was 0 to 19 (7 births), which is a change
from the 40 and over age group in 2004.
Between 2004 and 2024, the 0 to 19 age group has seen the largest
percentage decrease in births (-86.0%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+130.0%).
The total fertility rate in Argyll and Bute decreased from 1.45 in 2023
to 1.38 in 2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Argyll and
Bute had the joint 18th highest rate in 2024 and this is higher than the
rate of 1.25 for Scotland as a whole.
Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
2024 Marriages by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, 926 marriages were registered in Argyll and Bute. This is a
3.7% decrease from 962 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Argyll and Bute had the 9th highest number of marriage registrations in
2024, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, 14
councils saw a decrease in marriage registrations and 18 councils saw an
increase.
2024 Civil Partnerships by Council Area in Scotland
In Scotland overall, there were 796 civil partnerships in 2024, which is
an increase of 10.7% from 2023.
Since June 2021 mixed-sex couples have been able to form a civil
partnership. In 2024, 29 civil partnerships were registered in Argyll
and Bute, of which 25 were mixed-sex and 4 were same-sex.
Argyll and Bute had the joint 5th highest number of civil partnership
registrations in 2024, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between
2023 and 2024, 9 councils saw a decrease in civil partnership
registrations and 20 councils saw an increase. There were 3 councils
that saw no change.
Deaths
Source
data
Last updated: August 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2026
2024 Deaths by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, there were 1,200 deaths in Argyll and Bute. This is a 0.3%
increase from 1,197 deaths in 2023. Of these 1,200 deaths, 570 (47.5%)
were female and 630 (52.5%) were male.
In Argyll and Bute, the standardised death rate decreased from 10.5 per
1,000 population in 2023 to 10.4 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, Argyll and Bute was the council area with the 20th highest
standardised death rate. Between 2023 and 2024, 23 councils saw a
decrease in standardised death rate and 6 councils saw an increase.
There were 3 councils that saw no change.
Between 2004 and 2024, both female and male deaths registered in Argyll
and Bute have increased in number. In 2024, a lower number of female
(570) than male (630) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in Argyll
and Bute in 2024 was 1.2% higher and the number of male deaths was 10.9%
higher. At Scotland level, the number of female deaths registered in
2024 was 5.5% higher and the number of male deaths was 16.7% higher.
In 2024, the 90 and over age group saw the highest number of total
deaths (234) and the 0, 1 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 14, 15 to 19 age groups
saw the fewest (0). For females, the most common age group was 90 and
over (141) and for males, the most common age group was 80 to 84 (106).
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 Argyll and Bute, the leading cause of death for males in 2024 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (15.7% of all male deaths), followed by
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, Cerebrovascular disease (6.3%). In
Scotland overall, the leading cause of death for males was also
Ischaemic heart diseases (13.7%), followed by Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Disease (7.5%).
In Argyll and Bute, the leading cause of death for females in 2024 was
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (13.9% of all female deaths), followed
by Ischaemic heart diseases (9.6%). In Scotland overall, the leading
cause of death for females was also Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
(13.7%), followed by Ischaemic heart diseases (8.5%).
Life Expectancy
Source
data
Last updated: October 2024
Likely next update: December 2025
Life Expectancy in 2021-23 by Council Area in Scotland
In Argyll and Bute, life expectancy at birth was higher for females
(81.8 years) than for males (78.3 years) in 2021-23. Male life
expectancy at birth has increased more rapidly than female life
expectancy at birth between 2001-03 and 2021-23.
In Argyll and Bute, life expectancy at birth is higher than at Scotland
level for both females and males.
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
birth in Argyll and Bute has risen by 2.7%. This is the 11th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+2.4%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at
birth in Argyll and Bute has risen by 4.7%. This is the 8th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+4.5%).
In Argyll and Bute, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females
(20.5 years) than for males (18.5 years) in 2021-23. Male life
expectancy at age 65-69 has increased more rapidly than female life
expectancy at age 65-69 between 2001-03 and 2021-23.
In Argyll and Bute, life expectancy at age 65-69 is higher than at
Scotland level for both females and males.
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
age 65-69 in Argyll and Bute has risen by 9.5%. This is the 14th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+8.8%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at age
65-69 in Argyll and Bute has risen by 16.6%. This is the 14th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
higher than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+16.5%).
Household Estimates
Source
data
Last updated: June 2025
Likely next update: June 2026
Mid-2024 Household Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, the number of households in Argyll and Bute was 42,831. This is
a 0.5% increase from 42,610 households in 2023. In comparison, the
number of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Argyll and Bute had the 24th highest number of households in 2024, out
of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, all councils
saw an increase in the number of households.
In comparison to 2001, the number of households in Argyll and Bute has
increased by 9.7%. This is the 27th highest percentage change out of the
32 council areas in Scotland and a less rapid change than at Scotland
level (+16.3%).
Household Projections
Source
data
Last updated: September 2020
Likely next update: December 2025
2018-based Household Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2018 and 2028, the number of households in Argyll and Bute is
projected to decrease from 41,630 to 40,803. This is a 2.0% decrease,
which compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Argyll and Bute is projected to have the 27th 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.
Argyll and Bute is projected to have the 30th highest percentage change
in household numbers out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
In 2028, the household type “One adult” is projected to remain the most
common (39.4%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (4.8%) in Argyll and Bute.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Two or more adults, one or
more children” is projected to see the largest percentage decrease
(-15.4%) and the household type “One adult” is projected to see the
largest percentage increase (+2.4%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-32.1%) and the 90 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+35.7%). In terms of
size, however, 60 to 64 is projected to become the largest age group of
a Household Reference Person (HRP), compared to 55 to 59 in 2018.
Dwellings
Source
data
Last updated: June 2025
Likely next update: June 2026
2024 Dwellings by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, the number of dwellings in Argyll and Bute was 49,697. This is
a 1.1% increase from 49,144 in 2023. In comparison, the number of
dwellings in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Argyll and Bute had the 21st highest number of dwellings in 2024, out of
all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2023 and 2024, all councils
saw an increase in the number of dwellings.
Compared with 2001, the number of dwellings in Argyll and Bute has
increased by 11.5%. This is the 29th highest percentage change out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland and a less rapid change than for
Scotland as a whole (+18.1%).
In Argyll and Bute, Council Tax band B was most common (20.6%) in 2024,
followed by Council Tax band C (19.4%). 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.
