In 2020, there were estimated to be 406,000 non-British nationals living in Scotland. This represented about 8% of Scotland’s population. Of all non-British nationals, 61% were EU nationals (247,000) and 39% were non-EU nationals (159,000). Prior to 2010, the populations of EU and non-EU nationals living in Scotland were similar. Since 2010, the population of EU nationals has consistently been higher than the population of non-EU nationals. Polish was the most common non-British nationality in Scotland in 2020, with 92,000 nationals (23% of the total non-British population). The council areas with the largest proportion of residents with a non-British nationality were Aberdeen City (20%), City of Edinburgh (19%), and Glasgow City (12%).

In 2024, there were approximately 650,300 people living in Glasgow, with a further 530,680 people living in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, the first and second most-populated Scottish council areas respectively. The region of Fife is also heavily populated, with approximately 374,760 people living there. The least populated areas are the islands of Scotland such as Orkney, estimated to have only 22,020 people there.

Noise maps showing areas that are relatively louder or quieter, measured in decibels (dB), for industry noise within agglomerations in 2021. The data represents the evening levels (Leve) – the annual average A-weighted long-term sound over the evening period (19:00-23:00). Qualifying agglomerations are urban areas with populations in excess of 100,000 people, i.e. Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow. Scottish Ministers commissioned strategic noise mapping analysis to meet the requirements of the Environmental Noise Directive (Directive 2002/49/EC), which is legally implemented in Scotland thorough the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006, as amended by the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018. Noise maps are used to identify areas where noise levels are high and, by linking population data, estimate how many people are affected. This aids in the production of noise action plans to manage noise and reduce noise levels where appropriate.

Noise maps showing areas that are relatively louder or quieter, measured in decibels (dB), for industry noise within agglomerations in 2021. The data represents the day-evening-night levels (Lden) which are annual average noise levels with separate weightings for the evening and night periods. Day, evening and night periods are defined as 07.00 to 19.00, 19.00 to 23.00 and 23.00 to 07.00 respectively. Qualifying agglomerations are urban areas with populations in excess of 100,000 people, i.e. Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow. Scottish Ministers commissioned strategic noise mapping analysis to meet the requirements of the Environmental Noise Directive (Directive 2002/49/EC), which is legally implemented in Scotland thorough the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006, as amended by the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018. Noise maps are used to identify areas where noise levels are high and, by linking population data, estimate how many people are affected. This aids in the production of noise action plans to manage noise and reduce noise levels where appropriate.

Noise maps showing areas that are relatively louder or quieter, measured in decibels (dB), for industry noise within agglomerations in 2021. The data represents the 16-hour daytime level (LAeq,16h) - the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound level over a 16-hour time period (07:00-23:00). Qualifying agglomerations are urban areas with populations in excess of 100,000 people, i.e. Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow.

Scottish Ministers commissioned strategic noise mapping analysis to meet the requirements of the Environmental Noise Directive (Directive 2002/49/EC), which is legally implemented in Scotland thorough the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006, as amended by the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018.

Noise maps are used to identify areas where noise levels are high and, by linking population data, estimate how many people are affected. This aids in the production of noise action plans to manage noise and reduce noise levels where appropriate.