SCOTLAND’S population has risen to its highest ever level, according to new data.
The figures from National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that, by the end of June 2019, Scotland's population had increased to a record 5,463,300 – up by 4.4% over the past decade.
But over the 10-year period it found that population had decreased in "mainly rural and island council areas, as well as areas in the west of Scotland".
NRS looked at population statistics for data zones across Scotland, with the country broken down into a total of 6,976 small areas, most of which have between 500 and 999 people living in them.
Over the decade between June 2009 and June 2019, it found that the population shrank in almost four out of five (79%) data zones in the Inverclyde Council area, with 75% of zones in the Argyll and Bute area and West Dunbartonshire also experiencing population falls.
In contrast, the population increased in 76% of the data zones in the Edinburgh City Council area.
The Falkirk town centre and Callendar Park data zone had the highest median age of residents – 72 – with the area containing a number of developments aimed at older people.
Meanwhile, an area of Ruchhill in Glasgow had the lowest median age of any data zone in Scotland – 20 – with the area containing student accommodation for Glasgow University.
There were also a number of data zones where more than half the population was aged 65 or over – in Blairgowrie West in Perth and Kinross (57%); an area covering Ayr South Harbour and town centre (54%); a zone in Earlsferry in Fife (52%); a zone in Kessington West in East Dunbartonshire (52%); and in Bothwell South in South Lanarkshire (51%).
Every council area in Scotland, apart from Dundee City, saw an increase in the average median age of its data zones between mid-2009 and mid-2019, reflecting Scotland's ageing population, NRS found.
In the Western Isles the median age increased in 94% of its data zones between 2009 and 2019, according to the report.
Meanwhile, Dundee City has seen the largest percentage of data zones get younger in terms of median age, with this happening in 44% of zones there.
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "As these statistics starkly illustrate, while Scotland's total population is the highest it's ever been (5.46 million), we face a number of challenges.
"Against a backdrop of a record low in the birth rate, Scotland's population is ageing and it is welcome that people are living longer. Many local communities have experienced population decline, particularly those in rural areas and parts of the West of Scotland."
She added: "With all of Scotland's population growth predicted to come from migration, the impact of Brexit means that in the future we may not have enough people of the right ages in the right places.
"The cornerstones of a strong economy are productivity, participation and population. We need to grow our population to ensure we have sustainable, vibrant and resilient communities and drive improvements in inclusive growth.
"The Scottish Government has established a ministerial population taskforce to address population concerns by making communities across Scotland attractive places to live, work, bring up families and move to."
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