In 2024, the population of Scotland was approximately 5.5 million, compared with 2000 when the population was just over five million. Between 1974 and 2000, the population of Scotland fell by 172,600, before growing at a relatively fast rate after 2000, and surpassing the 1974 population by 2010.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Scotland population over the last 20 plus years. It lists the population for each year, along with the year on year change in population, as well as the change in percentage terms for each year. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population change of Scotland across the last two decades. For example, using this dataset, we can identify if the population is declining or increasing. If there is a change, when the population peaked, or if it is still growing and has not reached its peak. We can also compare the trend with the overall trend of United States population over the same period of time.

Key observations

In 2023, the population of Scotland was 168, a 0% decrease year-by-year from 2022. Previously, in 2022, Scotland population was 168, a decline of 1.18% compared to a population of 170 in 2021. Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2023, population of Scotland decreased by 129. In this period, the peak population was 360 in the year 2010. The numbers suggest that the population has already reached its peak and is showing a trend of decline. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Data Coverage:

• From 2000 to 2023

Variables / Data Columns

• Year: This column displays the data year (Measured annually and for years 2000 to 2023)
• Population: The population for the specific year for the Scotland is shown in this column.
• Year on Year Change: This column displays the change in Scotland population for each year compared to the previous year.
• Change in Percent: This column displays the year on year change as a percentage. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Scotland Population by Year. You can refer the same here

National and subnational mid-year population estimates for the UK and its constituent countries by administrative area, age and sex (including components of population change, median age and population density).

In 2023, there were approximately 631,970 people living in Glasgow, with a further 523,250 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 373,210 people living there. The least populated areas are the islands of Scotland such as Orkney, estimated to have only 22,000 people there.

There were approximately ******* people aged between 55 and 59 in Scotland in 2023, the most of any age group in that year. By contrast, there were just ****** people who were aged over 90 in this year, the fewest of the provided age groups.

This dataset provides Census 2022 estimates for the Usual resident population (residence type) by sex and age (in 6 categories) in Scotland.

Age

A person's age on Census Day, 20 March 2022. Infants aged under 1 year are classified as 0 years of age.

Sex

This is the sex recorded by the person completing the census. The options were "Female" and "Male". Guidance on answering the question can be found here

Residence type

This defines the type of residence a person lives in. It categories people as living in households or living in a communal establishment.

The quality assurance report can be found here

Principal projection for Scotland - population by five-year age groups and sex.

Comprehensive demographic dataset for Scotland, AR, US including population statistics, household income, housing units, education levels, employment data, and transportation with year-over-year changes.

Scotland’s population was estimated to be 5,479,900 at mid-2021 (30 June 2021). The population increased by 13,900 people (0.25%) in the year to mid-2021. The average annual growth in the 5 years before the pandemic was higher than this, at around 23,100 people (0.43%). There have been more deaths than births for the last seven years. In the latest year, deaths outnumbered births by the largest amount on record. Migration was the main driver of population growth over the latest year. More people moved to Scotland than left, as has been the case for the last two decades. The pattern of population change was different to previous years. In the latest year, the population of the largest cities fell, which was a change from growth in previous years. The greatest population growth was in council areas around Edinburgh. In addition, many rural areas which had previously had falling populations saw an increase in population over the latest year.

In 2024, 30.7 percent of Higher level exam entries in Scotland were awarded an A grade, compared with 23.3 percent being awarded a B grade, and 21.1 percent a C grade. Although 2021 had the highest share of A grades being awarded, the conditions in which the 2020 and 2021 exams were assessed were significantly different from previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This statistic shows the distribution of non-white ethnic backgrounds in Scotland in 2018. 96 percent of the population identified as white. The next highest ethnic group was Asians with 2.6 percent.

In 2024, the pass rate for the higher level qualification in Scotland was 75.1 percent, compared with 77.4 percent in the previous year. The conditions in which the 2020 and 2021 exams were assessed were significantly different from previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were approximately 62 thousand Polish nationals living in Scotland as of June 2021, the most common non-British nationality in Scotland, followed by Irish nationals, at 21 thousand.

In 2024, 38.1 percent of National 5 entries in Scotland were awarded an A grade, compared with 21.7 percent being awarded a B grade, and 17.5 percent a C grade. Although 2021had the highest share of A grades being awarded, the conditions in which the 2020 and 2021 exams were assessed were significantly different from previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2024 the pass rate (a grade between A and C) for Scotland's National 5 qualification was 77.7 percent, compared with 78.8 percent in 2023. The conditions in which the 2020 and 2021 exams were assessed were significantly different from previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This statistic shows the forecasted population of Scotland from 2019 to 2041, in thousand inhabitants. The population is set to increase continuously across this time period from **** million in 2019 to just under *** million in 2041, although the rate of growth is forecasted to slow down considerably in the late *****.

United Kingdom Population: Scotland: Female: Aged 1 to 4 data was reported at 140.223 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 112.892 Person th for 2016. United Kingdom Population: Scotland: Female: Aged 1 to 4 data is updated yearly, averaging 124.000 Person th from Jun 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 47 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 174.000 Person th in 1971 and a record low of 103.000 Person th in 2005. United Kingdom Population: Scotland: Female: Aged 1 to 4 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.G003: Population: Scotland.

Presents key findings from the Registrar General's Annual Review.

Source agency: National Records of Scotland

Designation: National Statistics

Language: English

Alternative title: Scotland's Population: The Registrar General's Annual Review of Demographic Trends

Population by age, sex and administration area (council and health board area).

Source agency: National Records of Scotland

Designation: National Statistics

Language: English

Alternative title: Population Estimates for Scotland

Population by age, sex and administration area (council and health board area).

Source agency: National Records of Scotland

Designation: National Statistics

Language: English

Alternative title: Mid-Year Population Estimates for Scotland