Scottish population set to increase

New figures published today by National Records of Scotland show there are projected increases in all four of Scotland’s Strategic Development Plan (SDP) areas and both National Parks.

Commenting following the release of ‘Household Projections for Scotland’s Strategic Development Plan Areas and National Parks, 2010-based,’ the Acting Registrar General for Scotland, Audrey Robertson, said:

“Over the next 25 years, the number of households in Scotland is projected to increase by more than a fifth to 2.89 million in 2035. Increases are also projected for all of Scotland’s Strategic Development Plan areas and National Parks. The number of households in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is projected to peak in 2025.

“The projected increases are partly due to Scotland’s rising population, but are mainly a result of changes in household structure. More people are living alone and in smaller households. The average household size in Scotland is projected to fall from 2.17 people in 2010 to 1.95 people in 2035 and similar decreases are projected for all SDP areas and National Parks.

“Between 2010 and 2035 there is a projected increase of almost 60 per cent in households headed by someone aged 65 or over. There are also large increases projected for the SDP areas and National Parks. The number of households headed by someone aged 65 or over is projected to increase by almost half in Dundee, Perth, Angus and North Fife SDP area, and by three quarters in Aberdeen City and Shire SDP area.”

 

The report’s main findings are:

• The number of households in Scotland is projected to increase from 2.36 million households in 2010 to 2.89 million households in 2035, an increase of 23 per cent.

• In Aberdeen City and Shire SDP area household numbers are projected to increase by 35 per cent, from 205,960 to 278,940 households.

• In Edinburgh and South East Scotland SDP area household numbers are projected to increase by 32 per cent, from 553,180 to 732,680 households.

• In Dundee, Perth, Angus and North Fife SDP area household numbers are projected to increase by 24 per cent, from 217,250 to 269,580 households.

• In Glasgow and Clyde Valley SDP area household numbers are projected to increase by 17 per cent, from 799,500 to 938,520 households.

• In Cairngorms National Park household numbers are also projected to increase by 35 per cent, from 7,800 to 10,550 households.

• In Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park household numbers are projected to increase by five per cent between 2010 and 2025, from 6,210 to 6,510 households, but then to decrease to 6,360 households in 2035. The number of households in 2035 is projected to be just two per cent higher in 2035 than it was in 2010.