Immigration pushes Scotland's population past 5.5 million for first time in 2023

Immigration pushed Scotland’s population past 5.5 million for the first time in 2023, according to figures.

On Thursday, the National Records of Scotland (NRS) said the country’s population was estimated to be 5,546,900 as of June 2024.

Immigration has been the biggest driver of population growth in that time.

The latest figures show that net international migration was 42,600 in the year up to June 2024, and migration between elsewhere in the UK and Scotland was 13,800.

The NRS mid-2024 population report said: “International immigration has fallen but remains historically high.”

After factoring in deaths and other natural changes, the NRS said Scotland’s population is up 40,900 (0.7%) people in a single year.

Despite a growing population, deaths outnumbered births in all but one of Scotland’s 32 council areas.

“In every council area, more people moved in than left in the latest figures,” Andrew White, head of population and migration statistics at NRS, said.

“Midlothian was the only council area to see more births than deaths in the year to June 2024. It is one of the fastest growing areas of Scotland alongside Glasgow, Edinburgh, East Lothian and West Lothian.”

The five areas with declining populations are Argyll and Bute, Angus, Dundee, Na h-Eileanan Siar, and Dumfries and Galloway, which did not see enough people moving in to make up for the gap between deaths and births.

Welcoming the report, Scottish equalities minister Kaukab Stewart said the figures demonstrate the continuing appeal of Scotland as an attractive country for people to live, work, and study in.

“We welcome people from around the world and other parts of the UK who want to build their lives here, and it is notable that more people have again moved to Scotland from the rest of the UK than have moved the other way,” she said.

Stewart said the report shows that immigration continues to be “crucial” to ensuring Scotland has a greater number of working age people to fill skills gaps, contribute to communities, and grow the economy.

She said the Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government to work towards the introduction of tailored migration routes for Scotland, including a Scottish Graduate Visa.