No Population Explosion in Scotland

5.46 million people living in Scotland as of 30 June 2019, an increase of 25,200.

30,200 more people moved to Scotland than left the country in the year to mid-2019, arriving from both overseas and the rest of the UK.

There was no natural growth as deaths outstripped births over the same time. There were 5,600 more deaths than births.

Three-quarters of council areas experienced population grown, but eight areas saw declines. Most of the population growth was in Edinburgh and Glasgow and neighbouring areas. Population declines affected mainly rural areas, some islands and other areas in the west of Scotland.

Scotland's population is ageing. In mid-2019, 19% of the population were aged 65 and over, compared with 17% a decade earlier in mid-2009.