This is a list of the ten areas in Scotland which have seen the biggest decrease in population size in the last five years, according to the latest data from the Office of National
Statistics (ONS).
Inverclyde has seen the biggest drop with a population decrease of 2.6% between 2014 and 2019. On the opposite end the scale, and not mentioned in this list we have Midlothian
which experienced the biggest population boom in Scotland in the last five years, the population grew by 7.2% between 2014 and 2019.
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1. Inverclyde
The population of Inverclyde has decreased 2.6% in the last five years. In 2014 the population was 79,890 and since it has decreased to 77,800. Photo: Shutterstock

2. Argyll and Bute
The population of Argyll and Bute has decreased from 87,650 in 2014 to 85,870 in 2019. This is a drop of 2.0%. Photo: Shutterstock

3. Na h-Eileanan Siar
Na h-Eileanan Siar saw a population decrease of 1.9% over the last five years. In 2019 the population was 26,720 which was a drop of 530 from the figure recorded in 2014. Photo: JPIMedia

4. Shetland Islands
The Shetland Islands experienced a population decrease of 1.3% between 2014 and 2019. In 2014 the figure was 23,220 and in 2019 it had dropped by 300 to 22,920. Photo: Shutterstock

