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 Fife was 374,760. This is an increase
of 0.3% from 373,570 in 2023. Over the same period, the population of
Scotland increased by 0.7%.
Fife had the 3rd 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 Fife has increased by 7.1%.
This is the 20th 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 (51.7%) than males (48.3%) living in
Fife. 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 101,973. In contrast, the 75 and over age
group was the smallest, with a population of 39,589. In 2024, more
females than males lived in Fife in 5 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, the 0 to 15 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-11.2%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+51.3%).
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 Fife was 12,380, a
5.4% decrease from 13,080 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in Fife was 9,590, which is a 3.7% increase from 9,250 in
2022-23.
In 2023-24, Fife had the 4th highest level of net migration out of the
32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 2,790 people. This is
a decrease of 1,050 from 3,840 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 Fife, the net migration rate decreased from 10.3 people per 1,000
population in 2022-23 to 7.5 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, Fife was the council area with the 21st 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 Fife was higher for females
(1,645) than for males (1,140). The age group with the highest level of
total net migration was 15 to 19 (928). In contrast, the age group with
the lowest level of net migration was 20 to 24 (-804).
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 Fife is projected to increase
from 371,390 to 379,346. This is an increase of 2.1%, which compares to
a projected increase of 4.4% for Scotland as a whole.
Fife is projected to have the 3rd 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.
Fife is projected to have the 15th highest percentage change in
population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Over the next 10 years, the population of Fife is projected to decrease
by 4.0% 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 6.2%
over the same period.
The average age of the population of Fife 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 (-12.3%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+25.7%). 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 2,815 births in Fife. This is a decrease of 4.2%
from 2,939 births in 2023. Of these 2,815 births, 1,352 (48.0%) were
female and 1,463 (52.0%) were male.
In Fife, the standardised birth rate decreased from 8.7 per 1,000
population in 2023 to 8.3 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall in 2023 was 8.3 and remained the same in 2024.
In 2024, Fife was the council area with the 27th 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 Fife was 30 to 34 (927
births), the same as in 2004. The least common age group of mothers in
Fife was 0 to 19 (87 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 (-74.1%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+41.2%).
The total fertility rate in Fife decreased from 1.33 in 2023 to 1.26 in
2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Fife had the 27th 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, 1,573 marriages were registered in Fife. This is a 3.7%
increase from 1,517 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Fife had the 5th 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 Fife, of
which 24 were mixed-sex and 5 were same-sex.
Fife 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 4,468 deaths in Fife. This is a 2.5% decrease from
4,582 deaths in 2023. Of these 4,468 deaths, 2,307 (51.6%) were female
and 2,161 (48.4%) were male.
In Fife, the standardised death rate decreased from 11.5 per 1,000
population in 2023 to 11.1 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, Fife was the council area with the 13th 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 Fife
have increased in number. In 2024, a higher number of female (2,307)
than male (2,161) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in Fife in
2024 was 14.7% higher and the number of male deaths was 17.4% 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 (789) and the 5 to 9, 10 to 14 age groups saw the fewest (1). For
females, the most common age group was 90 and over (550) and for males,
the most common age group was 75 to 79 (353).
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 Fife, the leading cause of death for males in 2024 was Ischaemic
heart diseases (14.9% of all male deaths), followed by Dementia and
Alzheimer’s Disease (7.5%). 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 Fife, the leading cause of death for females in 2024 was Dementia and
Alzheimer’s Disease (16.3% of all female deaths), followed by Ischaemic
heart diseases (7.9%). 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 Fife, life expectancy at birth was higher for females (80.7 years)
than for males (77.1 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 Fife, female life expectancy at birth is lower than at Scotland level
and male life expectancy at birth is higher than than at Scotland level.
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
birth in Fife has risen by 1.7%. This is the joint 24th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
lower than the percentage change for Scotland overall (+2.4%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at
birth in Fife has risen by 3.4%. This is the 27th highest percentage
change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is lower than
the percentage change for Scotland overall (+4.5%).
In Fife, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females (19.5
years) than for males (17.6 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 Fife, female life expectancy at age 65-69 is lower than at Scotland
level and male life expectancy at age 65-69 is higher than than at
Scotland level.
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
age 65-69 in Fife has risen by 7.7%. This is the 20th highest percentage
change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is lower 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 Fife has risen by 14.6%. This is the joint 24th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
lower 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 Fife was 171,913. This is a 0.5%
increase from 170,982 households in 2023. In comparison, the number of
households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Fife had the 3rd 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 Fife has increased by
14.2%. This is the 22nd 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 Fife is projected to
increase from 167,944 to 173,621. This is a 3.4% increase, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Fife is projected to have the 3rd 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.
Fife is projected to have the 20th highest percentage change in
household numbers out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
In 2028, the household type “Two adults” is projected to remain the most
common (35.1%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (6.2%) in Fife.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Two or more adults, one or
more children” is projected to see the largest percentage decrease
(-4.8%) and the household type “One adult” is projected to see the
largest percentage increase (+7.1%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-23.0%) and the 80 to 84 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+44.2%). 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.
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 Fife was 183,686. This is a 0.5%
increase from 182,775 in 2023. In comparison, the number of dwellings in
Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Fife had the 3rd 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 Fife has increased by
16.7%. This is the 18th 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 Fife, Council Tax band B was most common (26.5%) in 2024, followed by
Council Tax band A (22.0%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band H was the
least common (0.3%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B was the
most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least common in
Scotland.
