Population: estimates

Scotland

The 2021 estimates for Scotland's population produced by National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that Scotland's overall population stands at 5.48 million: 2.67 million males and 2.8 million females. Chart 1 breaks down the population by 15-year age bands. Children aged 0-14 make up 16% of the population, while 25% of the population are aged 60 & over. 

In the last year, Scotland's population has increased by 13,900 people. 2021 is the 21st year in a row where the population has increased (Chart 2). Between mid-2001 and mid-2021, the Scottish population increased by 8.2% (around 400,000 people), from 5.06 million to 5.48 million.

By NHS Board

When divided into 3 broad age groups (0-15, 16-64 and 65 & over) the percentage of the population in each age group does not vary greatly between NHS Boards, although it is notable that some of the rural boards - Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Western Isles, Highland and Orkney - have lower than average percentages of the "working age population" (16-64) and higher than average elderly populations (Chart 3).

By council

When the Scottish population is divided into three broad age categories (0-15, 16-64 and 65 & over), East Renfrewshire has the highest percentage of "children" (0-15) at 20%, while City of Edinburgh and Argyll and Bute have the lowest at 15%. Glasgow City has the highest percentage of "working age population" (16-64) at 71%, while Na h-Eileanan Siar and Dumfries and Galloway have the lowest at 58%. The highest percentage of elderly population (65 & over) occurs in Argyll and Bute, Na h-Eileanan Siar, South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway at 26%, while the lowest percentage of 13% is seen in Glasgow City (Chart 4).

More detailed information on population estimates is available directly from the NRS population estimates web pages.