The latest National Records of Scotland (NRS) analysis shows migration has been - and will continue to be - a major driver in population changes for most parts of the country.
Scotland’s overall population grew by 4 percent to 5.46 million between mid-2009 and the end of June 2019, with a further 2 percent growth projected in the decade up to mid-2028 to 5.54 million.
Here, we list the variation in projected population changes between Scotland’s council areas in terms of highest growth and decline, for the decade up to 2028.
It is worth noting these predictions do not take into account recent changes, such as the increase in deaths due to Covid-19 or the changes to migration as a result of travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
25. East Ayrshire
A -1.7% population decline is predicted in East Ayrshire. Photo: James McDowall
27. Dumfries and Galloway
-2.8% decline projected here, a faster decline than the -1.5% experienced from mid-2009 to mid-2019. Photo: Walter Baxter
28. North Ayrshire
A -3.1% population decline is projected in North Ayrshire, faster than the -2.2% decline reported between mid-2009 and mid-2019. Photo: David Falconer