IMMIGRATION from the European Economic Area (EEA) has helped push Scotland’s population to a new record high of more than 5.4 million, figures show.
Data taken from the 2011 census and published for the first time shows this group is present in every council area, with almost 70 per cent of those aged 16 and over in work and half educated to degree level. On both counts, the EEA citizens outstrip their Scots-born counterparts.
The overall population had dipped to just over 5m in 2000, but is now expected to total 5,404,700 by the end of June 2016 – the largest number ever and an increase of 31,700 over the year.
National Records of Scotland (NRS) said immigration, not an increase in births, had caused the change. External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the data underlined the “key role migration has to play in our work to grow Scotland’s population” – a priority for the Scottish Government as a result of the challenges caused by the rising number of older people.
According to NRS, net migration from overseas helped to increase the headcount by 22,900 last year.
Cross-border flows saw 8,800 more people came to live in Scotland from the rest of the UK than the number who moved south into England and Wales. Those arriving in Scotland tended to be younger than the general population, according to the figures.
Almost half of immigrants from the rest of the UK and two-thirds of those from overseas were aged between 16 and 34, compared to a quarter of the resident population.
Meanwhile, only seven per cent of those coming to Scotland from the rest of the UK and just one per cent of immigrants from other countries were aged 65 or above.
At a regional level, the City of Edinburgh saw the biggest overall boost at 1.7 per cent, with numbers in Glasgow City and Midlothian up 1.4 per cent.
In contrast, the Western Isles saw figures dip by 0.6 per cent, while the total in Inverclyde fell by 0.4 per cent.
The data also shows that there were 800 more deaths than births in the 12 months leading up to June 2016.
Meanwhile, there are more women than men, with an average of 100 females to 95 males across the country.
Glasgow has the highest population density, followed by Dundee, with the lowest level recorded in the Highlands and the Western Isles.
The future for EEA citizens in Scotland – which includes those from EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – is still unclear following the Brexit vote, with the UK Government refusing to guarantee their status and question marks remaining over the continuation of freedom of movement.
Responding to the results, Hyslop said: “It is very welcome that people are living longer but we need to ensure we can grow our working-age population to support our economy and society now and in the future when we expect more people to live longer beyond retirement.
“Scotland already benefits significantly from the contribution made by people from across Europe who have chosen to live, work and study here, bringing new skills and expertise and helping to underpin future economic growth. The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to encourage inward migration to support further population growth.”
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