< Previous | Contents | Next >
Scotland is a small country in world population terms, with around 5 million inhabitants. While the total population remained stable during the second half of the 20th century, its structure saw many changes. Population change has 3 components - births, deaths and net migration. The birth rate in Scotland has fallen throughout the century, as it has in many developed counties. People live longer, with women generally living longer than men. As a result, Scotland's population is ageing. Increases in the numbers of elderly and very elderly people have significant implications for health and social services. The population of working age, which provides much of the tax base to fund services, is falling.
The geographic distribution of the population within Scotland is also changing. Fewer people, particularly young people, live in rural areas. The cities, and particularly city centres, have lost population, as those who can move to the 'leafy suburbs'.
Fewer households now match the traditional family image of a married couple with two children. Many people live together and they tend to marry later, if at all. Couples have fewer children. Many marriages end in divorce, though many divorced people marry again. There are more one-person households, more pensioner households, and more single parent households.
These changes have significant implications for all aspects of Scottish life, including the need for childcare provision, school places, housing, leisure and other facilities.
< Previous | Contents | Next >
The information contained on this WWW site is Crown Copyright but may be reproduced without formal permission or charge for personal or in-house use. Privacy and Content Disclaimer.
For general enquiries about this web site email ceu@scotland.gov.uk or fill out our online questionnaire.