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 Scottish Borders was 116,630. This is
a decrease of 0.2% from 116,820 in 2022. Over the same period, the
population of Scotland increased by 0.8%.
Scottish Borders had the 17th 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 Scottish Borders has increased
by 9.1%. This is the 13th 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 (51.5%) than males (48.5%) living in
Scottish Borders. 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 34,615. In contrast, the 16 to 24 age group
was the smallest, with a population of 9,588. In 2023, more females than
males lived in Scottish Borders in 4 out of 6 age groups.
Between 2001 and 2023, the 25 to 44 age group saw the largest percentage
decrease (-20.9%). The 75 and over age group saw the largest percentage
increase (+57.8%).
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 Scottish Borders is projected
to increase from 115,270 to 116,435. This is an increase of 1.0%, which
compares to a projected increase of 1.8% for Scotland as a whole.
Scottish Borders is projected to have the 17th 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.
Scottish Borders 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 Scottish Borders is projected
to decrease by 3.8% 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 4.8% over the same period.
The average age of the population of Scottish Borders is projected to
increase as the baby boomer generation ages and more people are expected
to live longer.
Between 2018 and 2028, the 45 to 64 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-10.8%) and the 75 and over age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+29.6%). 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 825 births in Scottish Borders. This is a decrease
of 2.6% from 847 births in 2022. Of these 825 births, 380 (46.1%) were
female and 445 (53.9%) were male.
In Scottish Borders, the standardised birth rate decreased from 9.6 per
1,000 population in 2022 to 9.3 in 2023. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall decreased from 8.6 to 8.4.
In 2023, Scottish Borders was the council area with the joint 10th
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 Scottish Borders was 30
to 34 (278 births), the same as in 2003. The least common age group of
mothers in Scottish Borders was 0 to 19 (18 births), which is a change
from the 40 and over age group in 2003.
Between 2003 and 2023, each age group decreased in size. The 0 to 19 age
group has seen the largest percentage decrease in births (-74.6%).
The total fertility rate in Scottish Borders decreased from 1.5 in 2022
to 1.46 in 2023. Out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, Scottish
Borders had the joint 11th 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 1,504 deaths in Scottish Borders. This is a 0.5%
decrease from 1,511 deaths in 2022. Of these 1,504 deaths, 705 (46.9%)
were female and 799 (53.1%) were male.
In Scottish Borders, the standardised death rate decreased from 10.1 per
1,000 population in 2022 to 10.0 in 2023. In comparison, the rate in
Scotland overall in 2022 was 11.6 and remained the same in 2023.
In 2023, Scottish Borders was the council area with the 28th 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, female deaths registered in Scottish Borders have
reduced in number but the number of male deaths has increased. In 2023,
a lower number of female (705) than male (799) deaths were registered.
In comparison to 2003, the number of female deaths registered in
Scottish Borders in 2023 was 5.4% lower and the number of male deaths
was 18.5% 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 85 to 89, 90 and over age groups saw the highest number of
total deaths (274) 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 (156)
and for males, the most common age group was 80 to 84 (137).
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 Scottish Borders, the leading cause of death for males in 2023 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (14.6% of all male deaths), followed by
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (6.6%). 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 Scottish Borders, the leading cause of death for females in 2023 was
Ischaemic heart diseases (11.2% of all female deaths), followed by
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (10.8%). In Scotland overall, the
leading cause of death for females was 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 Scottish Borders, life expectancy at birth was higher for females
(82.6 years) than for males (78.7 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 Scottish Borders, 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 Scottish Borders has risen by 3.5%. 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 (+2.4%).
Over the period between 2001-03 and 2021-23, male life expectancy at
birth in Scottish Borders has risen by 4.4%. This is the 11th 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 Scottish Borders, life expectancy at age 65-69 was higher for females
(20.9 years) than for males (19.0 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 Scottish Borders, 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 Scottish Borders has risen by 12.7%. This is the 4th
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 Scottish Borders has risen by 18.2%. This is the 5th 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 Scottish Borders was
4,010, a 7.0% decrease from 4,310 in the period 2021-22. The level of
out-migration in Scottish Borders was 3,480, which is a 7.2% decrease
from 3,750 in 2021-22.
In 2022-23, Scottish Borders had the 26th highest level of net migration
out of the 32 council areas in Scotland, with a net total of 520 people.
This is a decrease of 40 from 560 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 Scottish Borders, the net migration rate decreased from 4.8 people
per 1,000 population in 2021-22 to 4.5 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, Scottish Borders was the council area with the 30th 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 Scottish Borders was higher for
females (269) than for males (252). The age group with the highest level
of total net migration was 5 to 9 (106). In contrast, the age groups
with the lowest level of net migration were 15 to 19, 20 to 24 (-90).
Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Source
data
Last updated: July 2024
Likely next update: Summer 2025
2023 Marriages by Council Area in Scotland
In 2023, 728 marriages were registered in Scottish Borders. This is a
12.8% decrease from 835 in 2022. In comparison, the number of marriages
registered in Scotland overall decreased by 10.9%.
Scottish Borders had the 11th 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, 26 civil partnerships were registered in Scottish
Borders, of which 25 were mixed-sex and 1 was same-sex.
Scottish Borders had the joint 7th 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 Scottish Borders was 55,826. This
is a 0.4% increase from 55,629 households in 2022. In comparison, the
number of households in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Scottish Borders had the 16th 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 Scottish Borders has
increased by 17.6%. This is the 12th 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 Scottish Borders is
projected to increase from 54,413 to 56,443. This is a 3.7% increase,
which compares to a projected increase of 4.9% for Scotland as a whole.
Scottish Borders is projected to have the 16th 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.
Scottish Borders is projected to have the 18th highest percentage change
in household numbers out of the 32 council areas in Scotland.
In 2028, the household type “One adult” is projected to remain the most
common (37.3%) and the household type “One adult, one or more children”
is projected to remain the least common (4.7%) in Scottish Borders.
Between 2018 and 2028, the household type “Three or more adults” is
projected to see the largest percentage decrease (-7.4%) and the
household type “One adult” is projected to see the largest percentage
increase (+7.3%).
Between 2018 and 2028, the 50 to 54 age group is projected to see the
largest percentage decrease (-29.3%) and the 80 to 84 age group is
projected to see the largest percentage increase (+43.5%). 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 Scottish Borders was 59,974. This is
a 0.7% increase from 59,557 in 2022. In comparison, the number of
dwellings in Scotland overall increased by 0.8%.
Scottish Borders had the 16th 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 Scottish Borders has
increased by 17.0%. This is the 15th highest percentage change out of
the 32 council areas in Scotland and a less rapid change than for
Scotland as a whole (+17.3%).
In Scottish Borders, Council Tax band A was most common (27.6%) in 2023,
followed by Council Tax band B (21.4%). Contrastingly, Council Tax band
H was the least common (0.8%). In Scotland overall, Council Tax band B
was the most common, followed by A. Council Tax band H was the least
common in Scotland.
