Population Of Scotland 2024
As of 1st May 2024, the Current Population of Scotland is 5,775,000 which was 5,733,000 in previous 2023 census. Scotland is the second-largest country in the United Kingdom (UK).
Quick Key Facts About Scotland
- The population of Scotland is around 5.4 million people.
- Scotland’s capital is Edinburgh, known for its historic landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle.
- The national flag of Scotland is the Saltire, featuring a white diagonal cross on a blue background.
- English and Scottish Gaelic are the official languages of Scotland.
- Scotland is renowned for its natural beauty, including the rugged Highlands, picturesque lochs, and historic castles.
- Scotland is the home of Scotch whisky, known for its unique flavors and regional variations.
- Scotland has its own parliament with devolved powers and there are ongoing discussions about Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.
Population Growth of Scotland (2011-2024)
Here’s the population growth of Scotland from (2011-2024) according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Government of Scotland statistics data.
| Year | Population | Growth Rate |
| 2011 | 5,295,000 | – |
| 2012 | 5,328,000 | 0.62% |
| 2013 | 5,359,000 | 0.58% |
| 2014 | 5,392,000 | 0.62% |
| 2015 | 5,425,000 | 0.61% |
| 2016 | 5,461,000 | 0.66% |
| 2017 | 5,498,000 | 0.68% |
| 2018 | 5,536,000 | 0.69% |
| 2019 | 5,575,000 | 0.70% |
| 2020 | 5,613,000 | 0.68% |
| 2021 | 5,652,000 | 0.69% |
| 2022 | 5,692,000 | 0.71% |
| 2023 | 5,733,000 | 0.72% |
| 2024 | 5,775,000 | 0.73% |
Please note that the growth rate is calculated as the percentage increase in population compared to the previous year. These figures are estimates and may differ from actual data.
Is Scotland Densely Populated?
The population density of Scotland is 70/km2.
Scotland has a relatively low population density. In 2022, around 5.44 million people lived there, resulting in roughly 70 people per square kilometer. This figure is considerably lower than many other areas in United Kingdom and numerous other nations. The sparse population of Scotland can be, in part, explained by its extensive land coverage coupled with a smaller populace compared to regions with more crowded conditions.
Scotland Population By Race (2024)
Scotland Ethnicity (2024): 96.0% White, 2.66% Asian, 0.56% African, 0.37% Mixed races, 0.11% Caribbean or Black.
Various sources have indicated the ethnic composition of Scotland’s population.
The 2011 census demonstrates that 96.0% of Scotland’s population identified as white[1]. Within this demographic, 91.8% were recorded as either ‘White: Scottish’ or ‘White: Other British’. A smaller proportion, 4.2%, consisted of individuals identifying as Polish, Irish, Gypsy/Traveller, or ‘White: Other'[1]. The census, however, lacked comprehensive data on other ethnic categories.
It should be observed that newer statistics regarding Scotland’s ethnic population distribution might exist. For accurate and contemporary ethnic statistics, the Scotland’s Census website is highly recommended as a credible source. Their reports and publications offer detailed and current demographic data[1].
The referenced data here is sourced from the 2011 census, and the original citations were unspecified. For the latest and precise ethnicity-related demographics of Scotland, consulting official data from Scotland’s Census or other dependable demographic studies is advised.
Scotland Population By Religion
Christianity is the major religion in Scotland.
In 2011, Scotland recorded that 53.8% of its population identified as Christians according to the latest census, marking a decline from the previous figures in 2001. Within this demographic, the Church of Scotland holds the majority with 32.4% of the entire nation’s populace. Other Christian followers include Roman Catholics at 15.9% and various other Christian denominations making up 5%.
English is predominantly spoken by 93% of the Scottish population, considering it their primary language. Additionally, Polish is the native language for 1% of the residents.
Scotland Population By Age (2024 Updated)
The National Records of Scotland reported that on March 20, 2022, Scotland’s estimated population stood at 5,436,600. Over time, the age demographics in Scotland have seen noticeable shifts, specifically, a rise in the elderly segment and a decline in the youth segment. From 2002 to 2022, the proportion of individuals aged 65 and above rose from 15.4% to 19.9%, whereas the fraction of the population under 16 years fell from 20.1% to 16.3%.
Here’s a detailed look at the age grouping for Scotland’s population in 2024:
- Ages 0 to 15: 816,400 individuals, making up 15%
- Ages 16 to 29: 957,500 individuals, representing 17.6%
- Ages 30 to 44: 1,160,200 individuals, or 21.3%
- Ages 45 to 59: 1,256,700 individuals, equating to 23.1%
- Ages 60 to 74: 916,700 individuals, about 16.8%
- Ages 75 and older: 329,100 individuals, approximately 6%
It is advisable to consult the National Records of Scotland’s website or other credible sources for more current or in-depth information on Scotland’s demographic breakdown by age, as the above data comes solely from the National Records of Scotland.
Scotland Population By Gender
51% are Scottish Women and 49% are Men as of May, 2024.
The latest national demographics indicate that 51% of Scotland’s population comprises women, while men make up 49%.
In terms of employment demographics for the current year, women constitute 56.9 percent of the workforce showing a slight decline of 0.4 percent from last year. Conversely, male employees now represent 43.1 percent, an increase of 04 percent from 1.
Regarding the organization’s board composition, there was a shift from two women (40 percent) and three men (60 percent) in 2021 to one woman (20 percent) and four men (80 percent) in 2022.
The make-up of the executive team also changed, from an equal split in 2021 with two women and two men (50 percent each), to one-third female representation (33 percent) and two-thirds male (67 percent) in 2022.
Further, the leadership group’s composition shifted from nine women (45 percent) and 11 men (55 percent) in 2021, to seven women (43.7 percent) and nine men (56.3 percent) in 2022.
Overall, there’s been a noticeable decrease in the presence of women at the higher levels of the organization.
What Is The Main Economy Of Scotland?
The Scottish economy, characterized as an open mixed economy, ranks as the United Kingdom’s second-largest. It benefits from a diverse range of sectors including financial services, oil and gas, tourism, food and beverage, creative industries, and renewable energy sources.
To keep the public informed about economic conditions, the Scottish Government issues reports like the “State of the Economy“, which assesses the effect of recent economic disturbances such as the Covid-19 outbreak, the withdrawal from the EU, and other pertinent factors on Scotland’s economic landscape. Moreover, the government provides monthly economic updates that encapsulate crucial economic statistics, projections, and evaluations.
In addition, the Scottish Fiscal Commission releases economic and fiscal projections that examine Scotland’s economic performance. These assessments cover income, spending, and other significant economic indicators.
