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Scotland's Mid-Year Population Estimates

The estimated population of Scotland was 5,222,100 in mid-2010. This was a rise of 28,100 on the previous year and the highest population since 1977.

Main findings

• The estimated population of Scotland on 30 June 2010 was 5,222,100, a rise of 28,100 on the previous year and the highest population since 1977;
   
• The population increased because 5,200 more people were born than died and because immigration exceeded emigration by 25,000. Other minor changes resulted in a loss of 2,100 people;
   
• Over the 10 years between mid-2000 and mid-2010, Scotland’s population increased by 3.1 per cent (+159,000) from 5.06 million to 5.22 million;
   
• In the twelve months up to 30 June 2010, the number of births exceeded the number of deaths by 5,200, the largest natural increase since 1991-92;
   
• Over the year there was a net migration gain of 25,000 people. This includes net gains of 3,300 people from the rest of the UK, 21,500 people from overseas (including asylum seekers) and 200 people from the armed forces;
   
• Over the year 46,100 people (including asylum seekers) came to Scotland from overseas and 24,600 left Scotland to go overseas. The net gain of 21,500 represents about one in 250 of the total population. That net increase, and the number of people who came to Scotland from overseas, is the highest since these estimates began in 1991-92;
   
• The net gain from the rest of the UK was less than that from overseas. Over the year, 45,000 people came to Scotland from England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 41,700 left Scotland to go in the opposite direction. The net gain of 3,300 is lower than the previous year’s 4,100 gain because fewer people came to Scotland and more people left;
   
• Among Council areas, between mid-2009 and mid-2010, City of Edinburgh had the largest percentage population increase at +1.8 per cent, followed by Aberdeen City (+1.6 per cent), Perth & Kinross (+1.3 per cent) and Stirling (+1.3 per cent). Argyll & Bute had the largest percentage population decrease at -0.9 per cent, followed by Inverclyde (-0.6 per cent) and West Dunbartonshire (-0.4 per cent);
   
• Among NHS Board areas, Lothian had the largest percentage population increase (+1.3 per cent), followed by Grampian (+1.0 per cent) and Shetland (+0.9 per cent). The only NHS Board areas to have experienced a decline in population were Dumfries & Galloway (-0.2 per cent) and Ayrshire & Arran  (-0.1 per cent);
   
• In the year to mid-2010, all four city council areas gained people as a result of migration. Although they lost population to other parts of Scotland, they gained a larger number of people from overseas. Glasgow City and City of Edinburgh also gained over 1,200 people each through natural change;
   
• The median age (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) of the population in Scotland was 41. The median age was lower in city areas (35 in Glasgow City and 36 in City of Edinburgh) than in rural areas (46 in Argyll & Bute, Dumfries and Galloway and Eilean Siar); and
   
• On average, there were 67 people per square kilometre in Scotland, ranging from nine persons per square kilometre in Eilean Siar and Highland Council areas to 3,378 persons per square kilometre in Glasgow City Council area. The average population density for the UK at mid-2009 was 255 people per square kilometre.

The full publication Mid-2010 Population Estimates Scotland is available on this website.