Scotland’s population is now the highest it has ever been driven mostly by migration. This is because deaths are outnumbering births.

In the year to mid-2024, there were:

• 62,000 deaths in Scotland
• 46,400 births

At 30 June 2024 the population of Scotland is estimated to be  5,546,900 . The data from National Records of Scotland reports that :

“Net international migration was +42,600 in the year to mid-2024. Net migration between elsewhere in the UK and Scotland was +13,800.”

However, Scotland has an ageing population with over 1/5 of people aged 65+. Migration is important for Scotland in addition to being able to retain our young people and families.

In the year to 30 June 2024 124,600 people came to live in Scotland whilst 68,200 left. People also moved within Scotland in that same period – 119,400 moves between council areas.

Orkney has the smallest population in Scotland at 22,020; Shetland: 23, 190; and Na h-Eileanan Siar: 26,020.

Rural areas tend to have the highest percentages of people aged 65 and over.

It is a tribute to our Health and Social Services that people in Scotland are living longer being able to access NHS services free at point of need.  

There were 1,020 people aged 100+ living in Scotland.

However, it also presents problems for the future provision of services and economic resilience. This is why retaining our young people and welcoming migrants is so important for Scotland’s future.

The UK Government introduced restrictions on granting visas and in July decided to close the Social Care Visa Route. This will be disastrous for Scotland’s social care services where “more than a quarter of the social care workforce is made up by international workers.”

Health Secretary in the Scottish Government Neil Gray said:

“In Scotland we need a migration system that works for our NHS, our social care sector, our businesses and third sector. Until we have the full powers over migration that will come with independence, we will do all we can within the devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament to mitigate the UK Government’s harmful approach to migration.

“I am therefore pleased to confirm today that the Scottish Government will create a bespoke offering to help social care workers who have been displaced to come to Scotland and contribute to our care sector.

“We will provide £500,000 to mitigate the devastating impact of the UK Government’s closure of the care worker visa route and provide targeted support to help displaced social care workers.

“This will support international social care workers already in the UK who have lost their social care jobs as a result of their employer losing their visa sponsor licence, to come to Scotland and contribute their valuable skills to our social care sector.

“It is our intention for this work to begin immediately so that social care workers can settle into new jobs before Christmas.”

Interestingly whilst most council areas of Scotland have seen population increases, Orkney has remained the same.

Fiona Grahame