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 Moray was 95,010. This is an increase
of 0.2% from 94,790 in 2023. Over the same period, the population of
Scotland increased by 0.7%.
Moray had the 24th 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 Moray has increased by 9.2%.
This is the 17th 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 (50.6%) than males (49.4%) living in
Moray. 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 26,735. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 8,942. In 2024, more females than
males lived in Moray in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2024, the 25 to 44 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-16.0%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+66.9%).
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 Moray was 3,200, a
10.6% decrease from 3,580 in the period 2022-23. The level of
out-migration in Moray was 2,650, which is a 0.7% decrease from 2,670 in
2022-23.
In 2023-24, Moray had the 25th highest level of net migration out of the
32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 550 people. This is a
decrease of 360 from 910 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 Moray, the net migration rate decreased from 9.7 people per 1,000
population in 2022-23 to 5.8 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, Moray was the council area with the 25th 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 Moray was higher for females
(339) than for males (208). The age group with the highest level of
total net migration was 55 to 59 (105). In contrast, the age group with
the lowest level of net migration was 25 to 29 (-27).
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 Moray is projected to decrease
from 94,300 to 93,319. This is a decrease of 1.0%, which compares to a
projected increase of 4.4% for Scotland as a whole.
Moray is projected to have the 25th 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.
Moray is projected to have the 27th highest percentage change in
population size out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Over the next 10 years, the population of Moray is projected to decrease
by 4.2% 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 3.3%
over the same period.
The average age of the population of Moray 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 (+25.9%). 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 690 births in Moray. This is a decrease of 9.2% from
760 births in 2023. Of these 690 births, 351 (50.9%) were female and 339
(49.1%) were male.
In Moray, the standardised birth rate decreased from 9.7 per 1,000
population in 2023 to 8.9 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall in 2023 was 8.3 and remained the same in 2024.
In 2024, Moray was the council area with the 18th 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 Moray was 30 to 34 (230
births), a change from the 25 to 29 age group in 2004. The least common
age group of mothers in Moray was 0 to 19 (16 births), which is a change
from the 40 and over age group in 2004.
Between 2004 and 2024, each age group decreased in size. The 0 to 19 age
group has seen the largest percentage decrease in births (-70.9%).
The total fertility rate in Moray decreased from 1.51 in 2023 to 1.4 in
2024. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Moray had the joint 16th
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, 297 marriages were registered in Moray. This is a 2.8% increase
from 289 in 2023. In comparison, the number of marriages registered in
Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Moray had the 26th 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, 24 civil partnerships were registered in Moray, of
which 20 were mixed-sex and 4 were same-sex.
Moray had the joint 9th 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 1,169 deaths in Moray. This is a 2.6% decrease from
1,200 deaths in 2023. Of these 1,169 deaths, 561 (48.0%) were female and
608 (52.0%) were male.
In Moray, the standardised death rate decreased from 11.2 per 1,000
population in 2023 to 10.8 in 2024. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall decreased from 11.5 to 11.2.
In 2024, Moray was the council area with the 16th 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 Moray
have increased in number. In 2024, a lower number of female (561) than
male (608) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2004, the number of female deaths registered in Moray
in 2024 was 11.5% higher and the number of male deaths was 47.2% 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 (222) and the 1 to 4, 10 to 14 age groups saw the fewest (0). For
females, the most common age group was 90 and over (142) and for males,
the most common age group was 80 to 84 (114).
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 Moray, the leading cause of death for males in 2024 was Ischaemic
heart diseases (12.3% of all male deaths), followed by Dementia and
Alzheimer’s Disease (7.9%). 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 Moray, 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 (7.5%). 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 Moray, life expectancy at birth was higher for females (82.0 years)
than for males (77.5 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 Moray, 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 Moray has risen by 2.4%. This is the joint 12th highest
percentage change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is
equal to the percentage change for Scotland overall (+2.4%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at
birth in Moray has risen by 4.5%. This is the 10th highest percentage
change out of all 32 council areas in Scotland and this is equal to the
percentage change for Scotland overall (+4.5%).
In Moray, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females (20.2
years) than for males (17.8 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 Moray, 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 Moray has risen by 7.5%. This is the 22nd 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 Moray has risen by 16.9%. This is the joint 11th 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 Moray was 44,291. This is a 0.9%
increase from 43,891 households in 2023. In comparison, the number of
households in Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Moray had the 22nd 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 Moray has increased
by 23.5%. This is the 7th 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 Moray is projected to
increase from 42,554 to 44,649. This is a 4.9% increase, which compares
to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Moray is projected to have the 23rd 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.
Moray is projected to have the 12th 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 (36.2%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (5.9%) in Moray.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Two or more adults, one or
more children” is projected to see the largest percentage decrease
(-5.4%) and the household type “One adult” is projected to see the
largest percentage increase (+9.6%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-24.7%) and the 90 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+50.9%). 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 Moray was 47,471. This is a 0.9%
increase from 47,060 in 2023. In comparison, the number of dwellings in
Scotland overall increased by 0.7%.
Moray had the 23rd 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 Moray has increased by
22.2%. This is the 9th 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 Moray, Council Tax band A was most common (25.2%) in 2024, followed
by Council Tax band B (22.5%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band H was the
least common (0.2%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B was the
most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least common in
Scotland.
