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 Moray was 94,670. This is an increase
of 0.4% from 94,300 in 2022. Over the same period, the population of
Scotland increased by 0.8%.
Moray had the 24th 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 Moray has increased by 8.8%.
This is the 14th 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 (50.4%) than males (49.6%) 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
2023, with a population of 26,856. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 8,650. In 2023, more females than
males lived in Moray in 3 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2023, the 25 to 44 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-15.4%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+62.5%).
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 Moray is projected to decrease
from 95,520 to 95,409. This is a decrease of 0.1%, which compares to a
projected increase of 1.8% for Scotland as a whole.
Moray is projected to have the 25th 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.
Moray is projected to have the 19th 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 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 2.6%
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 2018 and 2028, 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 (+32.4%). 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 760 births in Moray. This is an increase of 3.3%
from 736 births in 2022. Of these 760 births, 382 (50.3%) were female
and 378 (49.7%) were male.
In Moray, the standardised birth rate increased from 9.3 per 1,000
population in 2022 to 9.6 in 2023. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall decreased from 8.6 to 8.4.
In 2023, Moray was the council area with the 7th 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 Moray was 30 to 34 (251
births), a change from the 25 to 29 age group in 2003. The least common
age group of mothers in Moray was 0 to 19 (25 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 (-62.7%) and the 35 to 39 age group has
seen the largest percentage increase in births (+23.3%).
The total fertility rate in Moray increased from 1.45 in 2022 to 1.52 in
2023. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Moray had the joint 4th
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 1,200 deaths in Moray. This is a 5.6% increase from
1,136 deaths in 2022. Of these 1,200 deaths, 600 (50.0%) were female and
600 (50.0%) were male.
In Moray, the standardised death rate increased from 10.7 per 1,000
population in 2022 to 11.3 in 2023. In comparison, the rate in Scotland
overall in 2022 was 11.6 and remained the same in 2023.
In 2023, Moray was the council area with the 17th 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 Moray
have increased in number. In 2023, an equal number of female (600) and
male (600) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2003, the number of female deaths registered in Moray
in 2023 was 25.8% higher and the number of male deaths was 25.3% 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 (230) and the 1 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 14 age groups saw the fewest
(0). For females, the most common age group was 90 and over (146) and
for males, the most common age group was 85 to 89 (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 Moray, the leading cause of death for males in 2023 was Ischaemic
heart diseases (15.2% of all male deaths), followed by Dementia and
Alzheimer’s Disease (7.2%). 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 Moray, the leading cause of death for females in 2023 was Dementia
and Alzheimer’s Disease (11.7% of all female deaths), followed by
Cerebrovascular disease (8.3%). 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 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.
for females
for 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.
for females
for 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%).
\*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 Moray was 3,510, a
0.3% increase from 3,500 in the period 2021-22. The level of
out-migration in Moray was 2,720, which is a 13.1% decrease from 3,130
in 2021-22.
In 2022-23, Moray had the 24th highest level of net migration out of the
32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 780 people. This is an
increase of 420 from 360 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 Moray, the net migration rate increased from 3.8 people per 1,000
population in 2021-22 to 8.3 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, Moray was the council area with the 16th 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 Moray was higher for males (465)
than for females (318). The age group with the highest level of total
net migration was 60 to 64 (91). In contrast, the age group with the
lowest level of net migration was 15 to 19 (-45).
Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Source
data
Last updated: July 2024
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2023 Marriages by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, 289 marriages were registered in Moray. This is a 1.8% increase
from 284 in 2022. In comparison, the number of marriages registered in
Scotland overall decreased by 10.9%.
Moray had the 26th 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, 6 civil partnerships were registered in Moray, of
which 6 were mixed-sex and 0 were same-sex.
Moray had the joint 23rd 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 Moray was 43,891. This is a 0.9%
increase from 43,480 households in 2022. In comparison, the number of
households in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Moray had the 22nd 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 Moray has increased
by 22.4%. This is the 7th 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 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 2024
Likely next update: June 2025
2023 Dwellings by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, the number of dwellings in Moray was 47,060. This is a 1.0%
increase from 46,585 in 2022. In comparison, the number of dwellings in
Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Moray had the 23rd 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 Moray has increased by
21.1%. This is the 10th 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 Moray, Council Tax band A was most common (25.4%) in 2023, 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.
