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Population growth continues
22/01/2008
Scotland's expected population increase would be a key contributor to a more vibrant society and a more dynamic economy, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said today.
He reiterated the Scottish Government's determination to improve rates of economic activity across the country after the Registrar General published population projections for Scotland's council areas.
As revealed by overall population estimates published last year, the projections anticipate that the number of people living in Scotland will increase by around five per cent over the next 25 years.
Today's figures suggest the population increase may be spread unevenly across the country's local authorities.
Mr Swinney said:
"Over the last 10 years, population growth in Scotland has lagged significantly behind the UK. An increasing population has the potential to boost Scotland's economic growth and help our nation prosper.
"The Government Economic Strategy recognises that without increasing labour participation among older people or attracting more people of working age to Scotland, adverse economic impacts are likely.
"The strategy also emphasises that we must ensure the benefits of economic growth are felt across the whole of Scotland.
"We are determined that no area should miss out on the rewards of the more prosperous country we are building. We know that economic inactivity rates vary across Scotland, which is why we have set a cohesion target that aims to narrow the gap in participation between Scotland's best and worst performing regions by 2017.
"We must continue our work to give all of Scotland a competitive edge, to attract and retain successful businesses and the people they employ, to end decades of economic underperformance and to ensure that the projections for our population continue to be positive."
The Government Economic Strategy states: "Sustainable growth and prosperity need to be shared across Scotland. At present, differences in income, participation and growth across Scotland act as a drag on our economic performance and potential. Increased participation and enhanced quality of employment across our cities, towns and rural areas will enhance our performance and deliver a more inclusive Scotland so that, no matter where people live, opportunities are open to them."
It commits the Government to accord greater priority to achieving more balanced growth across Scotland, to give all across Scotland the chance to succeed. This will include actions to:
- implement single outcome agreements to target the transformation of areas of lowest economic activity, with a focus on Scotland's urban regeneration priorities
- ensure a more strategic approach to the growth of Scotland's, cities, towns and rural areas across transport, planning, housing and economic development
- build on the fuller utilisation of electronic connectivity
- ensure the most remote areas of Scotland can contribute to, and benefit from, economic growth
- implement the Scotland Rural Development Programme (currently under consideration by the European Commission) to develop the rural business base, communities and environment