Migration to fuel Scotland's population growth

Scotland's population is expected to grow to 5.8 million over the next two decades due to inward migration, according to new estimates.

A report published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) suggests that without migration Scotland's population would fall, as deaths are projected to continue to outnumber births.

The predictions are based on the 2022 census which put Scotland's population at 5,436,600.

Statisticians project a population increase of 4.4% in the 10 years from the middle of 2022 and a longer-range projection of a 6.2% increase by 2047.

According to the NRS report, the population of Scotland is set to grow at a slower rate than the UK as a whole.

By mid-2047 it is projected to be 76.6 million, up 13.2% on the 2022 figure

This would mean Scotland's share of the UK population may fall from 8.1% to 7.6% by 2047.

The 2022 census recorded the largest Scottish population.

It had grown by 141,200 (2.7%) since the previous census in 2011.

However, over that decade there were more deaths than births and without migration the population would have decreased by about 49,800.

The NRS report also revealed that the average age of Scotland's population is expected to get older, with the number of people aged 75 and over increasing by 341,300 by 2047.

The number of children under 15 is predicted to fall by 79,900 by 2047 and the number of young adults (16-29) will drop 57,300.

Click here for the full report from the National Records of Scotland.