Population: introduction
Population statistics are an essential resource for public health. Population denominators are required to calculate population specific rates and prevalence of mortality and disease, rather than simple numbers of persons affected. This is useful to allow, for example, comparisons between areas. Other uses of population statistics include calculations of standardised mortality/morbidity rates over time, life expectancy, and healthy life expectancy. Population projections are used by central and local government departments in a wide range of ways, including assisting long-term fiscal and economic planning, forecasting future demands for services and to help devise strategies for dealing with changing demographics.
In Scotland there are a number of different types of population data sources. These can be derived from different sources and are updated at different intervals.
- Census populations
- Population estimates
- Household estimates
- Population projections
- Custom population estimates for services e.g. General Practice list sizes
National Records of Scotland (NRS) is responsible for production population estimates, household estimates and population projections derived from Scotland’s census data. National Records of Scotland publishes a wide range of data on these topics.
Given the variety of administrative areas within Scotland (NHS boards, councils, wards etc.) population estimates are required at a range of geographies. Additionally in recent years demand for a range of socio-economic and health data for small geographical areas has led to an accompanying demand for population estimates at the same level. The Scottish Government publishes this data, including population estimates for councils, intermediate geographies and data zones, on its statistics.gov.scot website.
Population projections are calculated on a national and sub-national basis. These projections have a high degree of uncertainty and can change substantially (see the Office of National Statistics (ONS) website for more details of UK population projections).
Population information detailing numbers of persons registered with health services such as General Practices and or dental services are also useful resources for public health research. This type of information is collected and published by NHS sources.
