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Migration and Commuting in Urban and Rural Scotland
3. Migration in the Year to 2001
3.1 Introduction
The vast majority of people will change address at some point in their lives. This will involve moving between countries and between different geographic areas. There are a number of factors that may lead to people moving between areas:
- Employment - people moving in search of work; job relocation; people moving to another area due to better opportunities for career advancement; individuals moving to another area to engage in a self-employment venture.
- Lifestyle - people moving to the countryside for the natural environment; caring for relatives; the quiet life in the country; people moving into larger urban areas due to greater range of services available; studying (further education); families moving to areas with good schools.
- Cost of living - increasing house prices in the major cities may force people into the suburbs and surrounding areas; people's housing tenure changing, i.e. moving from renting to buying; commuting costs (ease of getting to workplace).
Census 2001 asked people to say where they had lived one year before the Census and answers to this question are used to explore who is moving into, and out of, urban and rural Scotland.
The chapter presents statistics on migration by geographic area in order to explore which geographic areas gained or lost population as a result of migration. The chapter then explores in-migration to rural Scotland and out-migration from rural Scotland in more detail by looking at the characteristics of migrants, such as age and occupation. Figure 3.1 summarises the types of migration measured in this chapter.
Figure 3.1 Definitions of Migration
Migration: - Moves within the year prior to Census 2001.
In-migration: - People who have moved into a different geographic area in Scotland from where they used to live. For example, someone moving into a large urban area from an accessible rural area.
- Includes people who have moved into a geographic area from the rest of the UK.
- Includes people who have moved into a geographic area from outside the UK.
- Excludes people who have changed address within the same geographic area.
Out-migration: - People who have moved out of a geographic area to a different geographic area in Scotland. For example, someone moving out of large urban area to an accessible rural area.
- Includes people who have moved out of a geographic area to the rest of the UK.
- Excludes people who have changed address within the same geographic area.
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3.2 Migration in Urban and Rural Scotland
3.2.1 Which Geographic Areas Gained or Lost Population as a Result of Migration?
Table 3.1 shows whether geographic areas have witnessed a net gain or loss to their population due to migration movements. 1
- A net gain occurs when more people moved into the geographic area than left the geographic area.
- A net loss occurs when more people left a geographic area than moved into the geographic area.
Table 3.1: Net Migration by Geographic Area (within Scotland Moves Only)
Geographic area | Out-migrants from area | In-migrants to area | Net gain/loss (in-migrants minus out-migrants) | Ratio of in-migrants to out- migrants |
Large Urban Areas | 34,128 | 33,797 | -331 | 0.99 |
Other Urban Areas | 36,591 | 35,857 | -734 | 0.98 |
Accessible Small Towns | 21,270 | 20,898 | -372 | 0.98 |
Remote Small Towns | 5,206 | 5,500 | 294 | 1.06 |
Accessible Rural | 30,125 | 33,468 | 3,343 | 1.11 |
Remote Rural | 11,906 | 9,706 | -2,200 | 0.82 |
Source: GROS, 2 ONS, 3 NISRA, 4 2001 Census.
Based on all migrants who moved within Scotland.
The statistics in table 3.1 exclude moves into, and out of, Scotland from the rest of the UK and into Scotland from outside of the UK. The figures in the table have been reported elsewhere in a recent paper by General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) looking at migration in Scotland. 5
Table 3.1 shows the ratio of in-migrants to out-migrants by geographic area. A ratio of greater than one indicates that the migration component of population change is positive. The table shows that most geographic areas witnessed a net loss due to migration, particularly the remote rural area, which had an in-migrant to out-migrant ratio of 0.82. However, the accessible rural area had the strongest net gain from migration, with 1.11 in-migrants for every 1 out-migrant.
The figures in table 3.1 exclude migration between Scotland and other parts of the UK, and moves into from outside of the UK. The rest of the chapter includes such moves. The reason for doing so is that the purpose of the chapter is to explore the characteristics of all types of people moving into and out of geographic areas of Scotland.
Table 3.2 shows which geographic areas have gained or lost due to migration once all migrants are included. The in-migrants column now includes in-migrants from other parts of the UK and outside of the UK, whilst the out-migrants column includes all out-migrants to other parts of the UK. 6
Table 3.2: Net Migration by Geographic Area (All Migrants)
Geographic area | Out-migrants from area | In-migrants to area | Net gain/loss (in-migrants minus out-migrants) | Ratio of in-migrants to out- migrants |
Large Urban Areas | 54,862 | 71,082 | 16,220 | 1.30 |
Other Urban Areas | 47,784 | 50,645 | 2,831 | 1.06 |
Accessible Small Towns | 25,416 | 26,468 | 1,052 | 1.04 |
Remote Small Towns | 6,226 | 6,972 | 746 | 1.12 |
Accessible Rural | 37,408 | 45,387 | 7,979 | 1.21 |
Remote Rural | 15,296 | 15,393 | 97 | 1.01 |
Other part of the UK | 47,823 | 47,766 | -57 | 1.00 |
Source: GROS, ONS, NISRA, 2001 Census
Based on all migrants who moved within Scotland, and between Scotland and other parts of the UK and outside of the UK.
Table 3.2 shows that all geographic areas in Scotland witnessed a net gain in population through migration. Large urban areas had the highest net gain, followed by accessible rural areas. The ratio is largest in the large urban areas (1.3 in-migrants for every 1 out-migrant) and the accessible rural areas (1.21 in-migrants for every 1 out-migrant).
3.2.2 Where did In-migrants Come From?
Table 3.3 shows where in-migrants to each geographic area came from. Percentages rather than totals are used as the interest is in the relative differences between geographic areas.
Table 3.3: Geographic Area Where In-migrants Came From
| Geographic Areaof In-migrantsPrevious Address | Geographic Area of In-migrants' New Address |
Large Urban Areas | Other Urban Areas | Accessible Small Towns | Remote Small Towns | Accessible Rural | Remote Rural | Other part ofthe UK |
Large Urban Areas | N/A | 28% | 24% | 16% | 23% | 15% | 43% |
Other Urban Areas | 19% | N/A | 26% | 9% | 30% | 11% | 23% |
Accessible Small Towns | 9% | 14% | N/A | 5% | 13% | 8% | 9% |
Remote Small Towns | 2% | 2% | 1% | N/A | 1% | 12% | 2% |
Accessible Rural | 13% | 23% | 22% | 11% | N/A | 17% | 15% |
Remote Rural | 5% | 4% | 5% | 38% | 6% | N/A | 7% |
Other part of the UK | 28% | 19% | 15% | 15% | 20% | 30% | N/A |
Outside of the UK | 25% | 10% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 7% | N/A |
Base | 71,082 | 50,615 | 26,468 | 6,972 | 45,387 | 15,393 | 47,766 |
Source: GROS, 2001 Census.
Based on all migrants who moved between, but not within, geographic areas.
N/A is not applicable.
Reading down the second column shows that in-migrants to large urban areas were most likely to come from either another part of the UK (28%) or from outside of the UK (25%). In-migrants to large urban areas were least likely to come from remote small towns (2%).
- Table 3.3 also shows that:
- In-migrants to remote small towns were most likely to come from remote rural areas (38%).
- In-migrants to accessible rural areas were most likely to have moved from the large urban (23%) or other urban areas (30%) or from another part of the UK (20%).
- In-migrants to remote rural areas are most likely to be from another part of the UK (30%).
3.2.3 Where Did Out-migrants Move To?
Table 3.4 shows where out-migrants from each geographic area moved to. Percentages rather than totals are used as the interest is in the relative differences between geographic areas.
Table 3.4: Geographic Area Where Out-migrants Moved to
Geographic Area of Out-migrants Previous Address | Geographic Area of Out-migrants New Address |
Large Urban Areas | Other Urban Areas | Accessible Small Towns | Remote Small Towns | Accessible Rural | Remote Rural | Other part of the UK | Base |
Large Urban Areas | N/A | 25% | 12% | 2% | 19% | 4% | 38% | 54,862 |
Other Urban Areas | 29% | N/A | 14% | 1% | 28% | 4% | 23% | 47,784 |
Accessible Small Towns | 25% | 29% | N/A | 1% | 24% | 5% | 16% | 25,416 |
Remote Small Towns | 23% | 13% | 6% | N/A | 10% | 31% | 16% | 6,226 |
Accessible Rural | 24% | 32% | 16% | 2% | N/A | 7% | 19% | 37,408 |
Remote Rural | 21% | 12% | 9% | 17% | 18% | N/A | 22% | 15,296 |
Source: GROS, ONS, NISRA, 2001 Census
Based on all migrants who moved between, but not within, geographic areas.
N/A is not applicable
Table 3.4 reads from left to right, with the rows on the left showing where migrants have moved from and the columns showing where they now live. 7 For example, it can be seen that out-migrants from large urban areas were most likely to move to another urban area (25%) or to another part of the UK (38%). Nearly 1 in 5 out-migrants from large urban areas moved to accessible rural areas (19%).
Table 3.4 also shows that:
- Out-migrants from other urban areas were most likely to move to large urban areas (29%) or accessible rural areas (28%).
- Out-migrants from accessible small towns were most likely to move to large urban areas (25%), other urban areas (29%) or accessible rural areas (24%).
- Out-migrants from accessible rural areas were most likely to move to large urban areas (24%), other urban areas (32%) or other parts of the UK (19%).
- Out-migrants from remote rural areas were most likely to move to large urban areas (21%) or other parts of the UK (22%).
3.3 In-migration to Rural Scotland
3.3.1 What Age Were the People Who Moved Into Rural Scotland?
Figure 3.2 shows the age group of in-migrants to accessible and remote rural areas. Percentages are presented, based on the 45,387 in-migrants to accessible rural areas and 15,393 in-migrants to remote rural areas.
Figure 3.2: In-migrants to Rural Scotland by Age Group
Source: GROS, 2001 Census
Based on all migrants who moved to accessible or remote rural Scotland (as defined by the SHS Urban Rural Classification)
Figure 3.2 shows that in-migrants to accessible rural areas were most likely to be in the under 25 age group (37%) and were least likely to be in the 65 and over age group (7%). In-migrants to remote rural areas were also most likely to be in the under 25 age group (35%).
3.3.2 What Type of Household Did People Moving Into Rural Scotland Belong To?
Figure 3.3 shows the household type of all in-migrants to accessible and remote rural Scotland. Percentages are presented, based on the 45,387 in-migrants to accessible rural areas and 15,393 in-migrants to remote rural areas.
Figure 3.3: In-migrants to Rural Scotland by Household Type
Source: GROS, 2001 Census
Based on all migrants who moved to accessible or remote rural Scotland (as defined by the SHS Urban Rural Classification)
Figure 3.3 shows that in-migrants to accessible rural areas were most likely to be couples with dependent child(ren) (39%). In-migrants to remote rural areas were also most likely to be classed as a couple household with dependent child(ren) (36%).
3.3.3 Where Were People Moving Into Rural Scotland Born?
Figure 3.4 presents a comparison of the country of birth of in-migrants to accessible and remote rural Scotland. Percentages are presented, based on the 45,387 in-migrants to accessible rural areas and 15,393 in-migrants to remote rural areas.
Figure 3.4: In-migrants to Rural Scotland by Country of Birth
Source: GROS, 2001 Census
Based on all migrants who moved to accessible or remote rural Scotland (as defined by the SHS Urban Rural Classification)
Figure 3.4 shows that the in-migrants to remote rural Scotland were less likely than their accessible rural counterparts to have been born in Scotland (58% in remote rural and 69% in accessible rural were born in Scotland).
3.3.4 What was the Economic Activity of People Moving Into Rural Scotland?
Figure 3.5 shows the breakdown by economic activity of all in-migrants to the accessible and remote rural areas. Percentages are presented, based on the in-migrants to accessible rural and remote rural areas that are classed as economically active. 25,048 in-migrants to accessible rural areas and 8,133 in-migrants to remote rural areas were classed as economically active.
Figure 3.5: Economic activity of In-migrants to Rural Scotland
Source: GROS, 2001 Census
Based on all economically active migrants who moved to accessible or remote rural Scotland (as defined by the SHS Urban Rural Classification)
Figure 3.5 shows that in-migrants to accessible rural areas were more likely, relative to in-migrants to remote rural areas, to be full-time employees (68% in accessible rural compared to 59% in remote rural).
3.3.5 What was the Occupation of People Moving Into Rural Scotland?
Figure 3.6 presents a breakdown of the occupation of all in-migrants to accessible and remote rural Scotland. All in-migrants that could be allocated a NS-SeC (National Statistics Socio-economic Classification) occupation category are included. 28,009 in-migrants to accessible rural areas and 9,678 in-migrants to remote rural areas were allocated an NS-SeC occupation category.
Figure 3.6: In-migrants to Rural Scotland by Occupation
Source: GROS, 2001 Census
Based on all migrants, who fall into a NS-SeC occupation category and who moved to accessible or remote rural Scotland (as defined by the SHS Urban Rural Classification)
Figure 3.6 shows that in-migrants to accessible rural areas were more likely to work in a managerial occupation than in-migrants to remote rural areas (46% of in-migrants to accessible rural compared to 39% of in-migrants to remote rural). In-migrants to the remote rural areas were more likely, relative to in-migrants to accessible rural, to be in routine or semi-routine occupations (29% of in-migrants to remote rural compared to 24% of in-migrants to accessible rural).
3.4 Out-migration from Rural Scotland
3.4.1 What Age Were the People Who Left Rural Scotland?
Figure 3.7 presents a comparison of all out-migrants from the accessible rural and remote rural areas by age groups. Percentages are presented, based on the 37,408 out-migrants from accessible rural areas and 15,296 out-migrants to remote rural areas.
Figure 3.7: Out-migrants from Rural Scotland by Age Group
Source: GROS, ONS, NISRA, 2001 Census
Based on all migrants who moved from an address in accessible and remote rural Scotland (as defined by the SHS Urban Rural Classification) to an address in another part of Scotland or another part of the UK
Figure 3.7 shows that out-migrants from both areas were most likely to be aged under 25 (44% for the accessible rural area and 47% for remote rural).
3.4.2 What Type of Household Did People Leaving Rural Scotland Belong To?
Figure 3.8 presents out-migrants from accessible and remote rural Scotland by their household type. Percentages are presented, based on the 37,410 out-migrants from accessible rural areas and 15,295 out-migrants to remote rural areas. 9
Figure 3.8: Out-migrants from Rural Scotland by Household Type
Source: GROS, ONS, NISRA, 2001 Census
Based on all migrants who moved from an address in accessible and remote rural Scotland (as defined by the SHS Urban Rural Classification) to an address in another part of Scotland or another part of the UK.
Figure 3.8 shows that out-migrants from both accessible rural and remote rural areas were most likely to belong to a couple household either with or without dependent child(ren).
3.4.3 Where Were People Leaving Rural Scotland Born?
Figure 3.9 shows the country of birth of out-migrants from accessible and remote rural Scotland. Percentages are presented, based on the 37,406 out-migrants from accessible rural areas and 15,295 out-migrants to remote rural areas. 10
Figure 3.9: Out-migrants from Rural Scotland by Country of Birth
Source: GROS, ONS, NISRA, 2001 Census
Based on all migrants who moved from an address in accessible and remote rural Scotland (as defined by the SHS Urban Rural Classification) to an address in another part of Scotland or another part of the UK.
Figure 3.9 shows that out-migrants from accessible rural areas and remote rural areas were most likely to have been born in Scotland. Out-migrants from remote rural areas were slightly more likely to have been born in an other part of the UK than out-migrants from accessible rural areas.
3.4.4 What was the Economic Activity of People Leaving Rural Scotland?
Figures 3.10 shows the economic activity of all out-migrants from accessible and remote rural Scotland. Percentages are presented, based on the 22,602 out-migrants from accessible rural areas and 7,166 out-migrants to remote rural areas.
Figure 3.10: Out-migrants from Rural Scotland by Economic Activity
Source: GROS, ONS, NISRA, 2001 Census
Based on all economically active migrants who moved from an address in accessible and remote rural Scotland (as defined by the SHS Urban Rural Classification) to an address in another part of Scotland or another part of the UK.
Figure 3.10 shows that out-migrants from accessible rural areas were more likely to be classed as full-time employees compared to their remote rural counterparts (69% compared to 64%). Out-migrants from remote rural areas were more likely to unemployed (9%) relative to out-migrants from accessible rural areas (6%).
3.4.5 What was the Occupation of People Leaving Rural Scotland?
Figure 3.11 shows the occupation of all out-migrants from accessible and remote rural Scotland. Percentages are presented, based on the 21,268 out-migrants from accessible rural areas and 8,282 out-migrants to remote rural areas.
Figure 3.11: Out-migrants from Rural Scotland by Occupation
Source: GROS, ONS, NISRA, 2001 Census
Based on all migrants who fall into a NS-SeC occupation category and who moved from an address in accessible and remote rural Scotland (as defined by the SHS Urban Rural Classification) to an address in another part of Scotland or another part of the UK.
Figure 3.11 shows that out-migrants from both areas were most likely to work in a lower managerial or professional occupation (28% from accessible rural and 24% from remote rural).
3.5 Summary of Characteristics of Migrants
The statistics presented in this chapter can be used to build up profiles of the characteristics of in-migrants to and out-migrants from rural Scotland. The profiles have been produced by taking the most common result for each characteristic. These profiles produce a very general picture and are not intended to mean that all migrants will have these characteristics. Listed below are four profiles for in- and out-migrants to accessible and remote rural areas. The profiles show that the main difference between in-migrants to accessible rural and remote rural areas are in terms of where the in-migrant moved from. The profiles show that the main difference between out-migrants from accessible and remote rural areas are in terms of where they move to. Further details on characteristics of migrants is presented in Appendix B.
In-migrants to accessible rural areas tend to: - Have come from Other Urban Areas
- Be under 25 years of age
- Belong to a couple household with dependent child(ren)
- Have been born in Scotland
- Be a full-time employee
- Work in a lower managerial or professional occupation
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In-migrants to remote rural areas tend to: - Have come from Other Part of the UK
- Be under 25 years of age
- Belong to a couple household with dependent child(ren)
- Have been born in Scotland
- Be a full-time employee
- Work in a lower managerial or professional occupation
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Out-migrants from accessible rural areas tend to: - Move to Other Urban Areas
- Be under 25 years of age
- Belong to a couple household with dependent child(ren)
- Have been born in Scotland
- Be a full-time employee
- Work in a lower managerial or professional occupation
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Out-migrants from remote rural areas tend to: - Moved to Other Parts of the UK
- Be under 25 years of age
- Belong to a couple household with dependent child(ren) or a couple household without dependent child(ren)
- Have been born in Scotland
- Be a full time employee
- Work in a lower managerial or professional occupation
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Footnotes
1 Population change is also determined by deaths and births within geographic areas but these effects are not captured in this analysis.
2 General Register Office for Scotland
3 Office for National Statistics
4 Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
5 Occasional Paper No.11, Scotland's Census 2001 - Statistics on Migration, GROS
6 Out-migrants who have moved to an address outside of the UK were not picked up by the 2001 Census and therefore not included in this analysis. As a result more people would have left Scotland than are accounted for in the Out-migrants column.
7 This table does not cover migrants who have moved to an address outside of the UK. The Census only covered people living at an address in the UK in 2001, so we are unable to capture these migrants in our analysis.
9 Slight differences in out-migration figures from those previously stated due to small cell adjustments
10 Slight differences in out-migration figures from those previously stated due to small cell adjustments.
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