Age Structure
Last updated: September 2009
In 2008 eighteen per cent of the population was aged under 16 while 20 per cent was of pensionable age (60 and over for women and 65 and over for men) and the remaining 63 per cent was of working age (16-59 for women, 16-64 for men).
Estimated population by age and sex, 30 June 2008
The age structure of Scotland’s population is changing. Between 1998 and 2008 the population increased by around 91,400 (1.8 per cent), from 5.08 million to 5.17 million. However different patterns were observed in different age groups. Of particular note is the decrease of 9 per cent in the number of children under 16 and the increase of 13 per cent in the number of people aged 75 and over. The ageing of the population is also evident in the rise of 14 per cent in the 45-59 age group, and of 10 per cent in the 60-74 age group.
The changing age structure of Scotland's population, 1998-2008
