Small Fall in Population of Scotland

23rd April 2001

Scotland's population on 30 June 2000 is estimated to have been 5,114,600, a fall of 4,600 since mid-1999, according to the mid-2000 population estimates released today by the Registrar General for Scotland.

The small population fall is due to 5,700 more deaths than births in the year ending 30 June 2000, a loss which was partially offset by a net migration gain of 800. The population remains relatively stable at just over 5.1 million, being 18,000 higher than a decade ago and 22,000 lower than the recent peak in 1995.

Amongst council areas in Scotland, West and East Lothian had the largest percentage increases at 1.3 and 0.9 per cent respectively. Eilean Siar, down 1.4 per cent, and Shetland Islands, down 1.3 per cent, experienced the largest percentage decreases.

Within health board areas, Lothian - up by 0.7 per cent and Borders - up by 0.5 per cent showed the largest percentage increases, while the Western Isles and Shetland Isles health board areas had the largest proportionate decreases, down 1.4 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively.

Notes To News Editors

1. A table is available presenting a summary of these estimates for council and health board areas with details of the components of population change for the period mid-1999 to mid-2000. Media wishing a faxed copy of the table should telephone 0131 244 3073 or alternatively visit the GROS website at www.gro-scotland.gov.uk.

2. For the first time the estimation of migration at the council area level uses data derived from the Community Health Index (CHI), a database of patients registering with GPs. Previous estimates have relied mainly on changes in the electoral roll. However, in election years, the electorate data can experience large and out of trend changes that significantly affect the migration estimates. This is the first year that data from the CHI has been available and the use of this data provides a more consistent migration estimate.

3. A booklet, Mid-2000 Population Estimates, Scotland, giving further details by age and sex, of the mid-2000 population estimates, will be published in May.

4. These are the last mid-year estimates of population before the 2001 Census. Next year's mid-2001 population estimates will take account of the results from the Census.

5. For further information on the availability of more detailed data and tables, please contact Statistics Customer Services using our Contact Form.