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 Highland was 237,290. This is an
increase of 0.3% from 236,520 in 2023. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.7%.
Highland had the 7th 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 Highland has increased by
13.6%. This is the 8th 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 (51.0%) 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
2024, with a population of 68,678. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 20,039. In 2024, more females
than males lived in Highland in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, the 0 to 15 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-10.1%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+78.1%).
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 Highland was 7,840,
a 2.7% decrease from 8,060 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in Highland was 6,050, which is a 0.2% decrease from 6,060
in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, Highland had the 10th highest level of net migration out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 1,790 people. This
is a decrease of 210 from 2,000 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 Highland, the net migration rate decreased from 8.5 people per 1,000
population in 2022-23 to 7.6 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, Highland was the council area with the 20th 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 Highland was higher for males
(979) than for females (814). The age group with the highest level of
total net migration was 35 to 39 (269). In contrast, the age group with
the lowest level of net migration was 15 to 19 (-170).
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 Highland is projected to
increase from 235,710 to 240,907. This is an increase of 2.2%, which
compares to a projected increase of 4.4% for Scotland as a whole.
Highland is projected to have the 7th 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.
Highland is projected to have the 14th 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 4.8% 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 7.0%
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 2022 and 2032, the 0 to 15 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-14.1%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+32.5%). 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 1,748 births in Highland. This is a decrease of 2.2%
from 1,788 births in 2023. Of these 1,748 births, 866 (49.5%) were
female and 882 (50.5%) were male.
In Highland, the standardised birth rate decreased from 9.3 per 1,000
population in 2023 to 9.1 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall in 2023 was 8.3 and remained the same in 2024.
In 2024, Highland was the council area with the joint 15th 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 Highland was 30 to 34
(591 births), the same as in 2004. The least common age group of mothers
in Highland was 0 to 19 (59 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 (-57.9%) and the 40 and over age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+11.8%).
The total fertility rate in Highland decreased from 1.45 in 2023 to 1.42
in 2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Highland had the 15th
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, 1,711 marriages were registered in Highland. This is a 1.3%
increase from 1,689 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Highland had the 4th 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, 46 civil partnerships were registered in Highland,
of which 39 were mixed-sex and 7 were same-sex.
Highland had the 3rd 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 2,855 deaths in Highland. This is a 0.5% increase
from 2,841 deaths in 2023. Of these 2,855 deaths, 1,371 (48.0%) were
female and 1,484 (52.0%) were male.
In Highland, the standardised death rate decreased from 10.3 per 1,000
population in 2023 to 10.2 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, Highland was the council area with the 22nd 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
Highland have increased in number. In 2024, a lower number of female
(1,371) than male (1,484) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in
Highland in 2024 was 17.6% higher and the number of male deaths was
24.6% 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 (523) and the 1 to 4, 5 to 9 age groups saw the fewest (0). For
females, the most common age group was 90 and over (330) and for males,
the most common age group was 80 to 84 (249).
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 2024 was Ischaemic
heart diseases (13.8% of all male deaths), followed by Dementia and
Alzheimer’s Disease (9.4%). 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 Highland, the leading cause of death for females in 2024 was Dementia
and Alzheimer’s Disease (14.8% of all female deaths), followed by
Ischaemic heart diseases (8.2%). 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 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.
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.
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%).
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 Highland was 113,906. This is a
0.9% increase from 112,857 households in 2023. In comparison, the number
of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Highland had the 7th 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 Highland has
increased by 27.1%. This is the 5th highest percentage change out of the
32 council areas in Scotland and a more 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 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 2025
Likely next update: June 2026
2024 Dwellings by Council Area in Scotland
In 2024, the number of dwellings in Highland was 124,812. This is a 1.0%
increase from 123,568 in 2023. In comparison, the number of dwellings in
Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Highland had the 7th 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 Highland has increased by
26.8%. 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
(+18.1%).
In Highland, Council Tax band C was most common (20.2%) in 2024,
followed by Council Tax band B (19.0%). 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.
