National Records of Scotland

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Population by Country of Birth and Nationality, Scotland, July 2020 to June 2021

Population by Country of Birth and Nationality, Scotland, July 2020 to June 2021

Last update: 25 November 2021

Estimates of the Scottish population by Country of Birth and Nationality from the Annual Population Survey (APS). This provides information on the number of non-UK born and non-British nationals living in Scotland and each council area. The latest estimates are for the year to mid-2021. Comparable UK estimates can be found on the ONS website.

Main Points

A new weighting method has been introduced to the data used in this publication. For this reason breakdowns of population estimates below the EU and non-EU level are less reliable. Comparisons over time, except with the reweighted mid-2020 estimates, are also less reliable.

  • The non-British population of Scotland was 397,000 (7.4%) in the year to mid-2021. The non-UK born population was 523,000 (9.7%).
  • Numbers of non-British nationals and non-UK born people remained broadly stable compared to the previous year. 
  • Of all non-British nationals living in Scotland, 231,000 (58%) were EU nationals and 165,000 (42%) were non-EU nationals.
  • Of all non-UK born people living in Scotland, 258,000 (49%) were born in the EU and 265,000 (51%) were born outside the EU.
  • Polish was the most common non-British nationality, and Poland was the most common non-UK country of birth in Scotland.

Statistical Service in Scotland

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