Deaths outnumber births by highest level on record in Scotland

Scotland’s population has risen at its fastest rate since the 1940s but deaths outnumbered births by the highest level on record.

According to the National Records of Scotland (NRS) figures in the year to mid 2023 put the country’s population at 5,490,100, up 43,100 from the middle of 2022.

The figure represents an 0.8% increase on the previous year and the biggest jump in one year since 1946-1947.

But there were 19,100 more deaths than births in Scotland, the highest number on record.

Without migration into Scotland, the population would have fallen, the NRS said.

Almost two-thirds of people moving to Scotland came from outside the UK and the number of people leaving the country fell.

Scotland’s population is also getting older, with more than a fifth of the population aged 65 and over, and 16% aged 15 or younger.

This is said to be due to the “baby booms” of the previous century and a falling birth rate.

The populations of larger cities have grown the most between mid-2022 and mid-2023. Edinburgh grew by 1.7% – equal to 8,680 people.

In Glasgow, the figure rose by 1.6% – equal to 9,920 people – and in Aberdeen it was 1.6% – equal 3,500 people.

Meanwhile the populations of a number of rural and island council areas have fallen in the year to mid-2023.

Head of demographic statistics Esther Roughsedge said: “The main driver of population growth over the year was people moving to Scotland from abroad and other parts of the UK.

“Without migration into Scotland, the population would have fallen. Deaths outnumbered births by the highest amount on record.

“There were 19,100 more deaths than births.”