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: January 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2025
Mid-2023 Population Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
On 30 June 2023, the population of Highland was 236,330. This is an
increase of 0.3% from 235,710 in 2022. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.8%.
Highland had the 7th highest population in 2023, out of all 32 council
areas in Scotland. Between 2022 and 2023, 7 councils saw a population
decrease and 25 councils saw a population increase.
Between 2001 and 2023, the population of Highland has increased by
13.1%. This is the 7th highest percentage change out of the 32 council
areas in Scotland. Over the same period, Scotland’s population rose by
8.4%.
In 2023, there were more females (51.0%) than males (49.0%) living in
Highland. 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
2023, with a population of 69,179. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 19,799. In 2023, more females
than males lived in Highland in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2023, the 0 to 15 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-9.6%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+71.9%).
Population Projections
Source
data
Last updated: March 2020
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2018-based Population Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2018 and 2028, the population of Highland is projected to
increase from 235,540 to 236,664. This is an increase of 0.5%, which
compares to a projected increase of 1.8% for Scotland as a whole.
Highland is projected to have the 7th highest population out of the 32
council areas in Scotland in 2028. Between 2018 and 2028, 14 councils
are projected to see a population decrease and 18 councils are projected
to see a population increase.
Highland is projected to have the 17th highest percentage change in
population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Over the next 10 years, the population of Highland is projected to
decrease by 2.6% 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 3.2%
over the same period.
The average age of the population of Highland is projected to increase
as the baby boomer generation ages and more people are expected to live
longer.
Between 2018 and 2028, the 0 to 15 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-11.0%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+34.1%). In terms of
size, however, 45 to 64 is projected to remain the largest age group.
Births
Source
data
Last updated: July 2024
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2023 Births by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, there were 1,788 births in Highland. This is a decrease of 6.3%
from 1,909 births in 2022. Of these 1,788 births, 845 (47.3%) were
female and 943 (52.7%) were male.
In Highland, the standardised birth rate decreased from 9.8 per 1,000
population in 2022 to 9.2 in 2023. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall decreased from 8.6 to 8.4.
In 2023, Highland was the council area with the joint 15th highest
standardised birth rate. Between 2022 and 2023, 24 councils saw a
decrease in standardised birth rate and 7 councils saw an increase.
There was 1 council that saw no change.
In 2023, the most common age group of mothers in Highland was 30 to 34
(582 births), the same as in 2003. The least common age group of mothers
in Highland was 0 to 19 (41 births), which is a change from the 40 and
over age group in 2003.
Between 2003 and 2023, the 0 to 19 age group has seen the largest
percentage decrease in births (-73.5%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+34.7%).
The total fertility rate in Highland decreased from 1.54 in 2022 to 1.44
in 2023. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Highland had the joint
15th highest rate in 2023 and this is higher than the rate of 1.3 for
Scotland as a whole.
Deaths
Source
data
Last updated: July 2024
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2023 Deaths by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, there were 2,841 deaths in Highland. This is a 3.4% decrease
from 2,940 deaths in 2022. Of these 2,841 deaths, 1,371 (48.3%) were
female and 1,470 (51.7%) were male.
In Highland, the standardised death rate decreased from 10.8 per 1,000
population in 2022 to 10.4 in 2023. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall in 2022 was 11.6 and remained the same in 2023.
In 2023, Highland was the council area with the 24th highest
standardised death rate. Between 2022 and 2023, 14 councils saw a
decrease in standardised death rate and 16 councils saw an increase.
There were 2 councils that saw no change.
Between 2003 and 2023, both female and male deaths registered in
Highland have increased in number. In 2023, a lower number of female
(1,371) than male (1,470) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2003, the number of female deaths registered in
Highland in 2023 was 11.5% higher and the number of male deaths was
25.0% higher. At Scotland level, the number of female deaths registered
in 2023 was 3.7% higher and the number of male deaths was 13.8% higher.
In 2023, the 90 and over age group saw the highest number of total
deaths (548) and the 10 to 14 age group saw the fewest (1). For females,
the most common age group was 90 and over (343) and for males, the most
common age group was 85 to 89 (230).
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 Highland, the leading cause of death for males in 2023 was Ischaemic
heart diseases (14.3% of all male deaths), followed by Dementia and
Alzheimer’s Disease (8.4%). In Scotland overall, the leading cause of
death for males was also Ischaemic heart diseases (13.8%), followed by
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (7.1%).
In Highland, the leading cause of death for females in 2023 was Dementia
and Alzheimer’s Disease (15.0% of all female deaths), followed by
Ischaemic heart diseases (8.8%). In Scotland overall, the leading cause
of death for females was also Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (13.4%),
followed by Ischaemic heart diseases (8.2%).
Life Expectancy
Source
data
Last updated: October 2024
Likely next update: September 2025
Life Expectancy in 2021-23 by Council Area in Scotland\*
In Highland, life expectancy at birth was higher for females (81.9
years) than for males (77.4 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 Highland, life expectancy at birth is higher than at Scotland level
for both females and males.
for females
for males
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
birth in Highland has risen by 3.1%. This is the 10th 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 Highland has risen by 4.0%. This is the joint 17th 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 Highland, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females (20.7
years) than for males (18.2 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 Highland, life expectancy at age 65-69 is higher than at Scotland
level for both females and males.
for females
for males
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, female life expectancy at
age 65-69 in Highland has risen by 10.3%. This is the 10th 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 Highland has risen by 17.9%. This is the 6th highest percentage
change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is higher than
the percentage change for Scotland overall (+16.5%).
\*Please note that the Scotland-level life expectancy estimate shown
here is for use only as a comparator for the corresponding
sub-Scotland-level figures. The definitive Scotland-level life
expectancy estimate (based on national life tables) is published in the
National Life Tables section of the NRS website.
Migration
Source
data
Last updated: March 2025
Likely next update: Summer 2025
Mid-2023 Migration by Council Area in Scotland
In the period 2022-23, the level of in-migration in Highland was 7,950,
a 0.7% decrease from 8,010 in the period 2021-22. The level of
out-migration in Highland was 6,140, which is a 11.7% decrease from
6,950 in 2021-22.
In 2022-23, Highland had the 11th highest level of net migration out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 1,810 people. This
is an increase of 750 from 1,060 people in 2021-22.
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.
\*Please note that totals have been rounded to the nearest ten at
council level.
In Highland, the net migration rate increased from 4.5 people per 1,000
population in 2021-22 to 7.7 in 2022-23. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall increased from 10.2 to 11.3 people per 1,000
population.
In 2022-23, Highland was the council area with the 19th highest net
migration rate, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2021-22
and 2022-23, 8 councils saw a decrease in net migration rates per 1,000
population and 24 councils saw an increase.
In the period 2022-23, net migration in Highland was higher for males
(912) than for females (899). The age group with the highest level of
total net migration was 50 to 54 (248). In contrast, the age group with
the lowest level of net migration was 15 to 19 (-152).
Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Source
data
Last updated: July 2024
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2023 Marriages by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, 1,689 marriages were registered in Highland. This is a 9.9%
decrease from 1,875 in 2022. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall decreased by 10.9%.
Highland had the 4th highest number of marriage registrations in 2023,
out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2022 and 2023, 28
councils saw a decrease in marriage registrations and 2 councils saw an
increase. There were 2 councils that saw no change.
2023 Civil Partnerships by Council Area in Scotland
In Scotland overall, there were 719 civil partnerships in 2023, which is
an increase of 14.1% from 2022.
Since June 2021 mixed-sex couples have been able to form a civil
partnership. In 2023, 41 civil partnerships were registered in Highland,
of which 33 were mixed-sex and 8 were same-sex.
Highland had the 5th highest number of civil partnership registrations
in 2023, out of the 32 council areas in Scotland. Between 2022 and 2023,
11 councils saw a decrease in civil partnership registrations and 18
councils saw an increase. There were 3 councils that saw no change.
Household Estimates
Source
data
Last updated: June 2024
Likely next update: June 2025
Mid-2023 Household Estimates by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, the number of households in Highland was 112,857. This is a
0.9% increase from 111,890 households in 2022. In comparison, the number
of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Highland had the 7th highest number of households in 2023, out of all 32
council areas in Scotland. Between 2022 and 2023, 1 council saw a
decrease in the number of households and 31 councils saw an increase.
In comparison to 2001, the number of households in Highland has
increased by 25.9%. This is the 5th highest percentage change out of the
32 council areas in Scotland and a more rapid change than at Scotland
level (+15.5%).
Household Projections
Source
data
Last updated: September 2020
Likely next update: July 2025
2018-based Household Projections by Council Area in Scotland
Between 2018 and 2028, the number of households in Highland is projected
to increase from 108,878 to 113,704. This is a 4.4% increase, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Highland is projected to have the 7th 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.
Highland is projected to have the 16th 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 (36.1%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (5.4%) in Highland.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Two or more adults, one or
more children” is projected to see the largest percentage decrease
(-4.0%) and the household type “Two adults” is projected to see the
largest percentage increase (+8.0%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-26.2%) and the 90 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+51.1%). In terms of
size, however, 60 to 64 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 2024
Likely next update: June 2025
2023 Dwellings by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, the number of dwellings in Highland was 123,568. This is a 1.1%
increase from 122,235 in 2022. In comparison, the number of dwellings in
Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Highland had the 7th highest number of dwellings in 2023, out of all 32
council areas in Scotland. Between 2022 and 2023, all councils saw an
increase in the number of dwellings.
Compared with 2001, the number of dwellings in Highland has increased by
25.6%. This is the 6th highest percentage change out of the 32 council
areas in Scotland and a more rapid change than for Scotland as a whole
(+17.3%).
In Highland, Council Tax band C was most common (20.2%) in 2023,
followed by Council Tax band B (19.1%). 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.
