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Population Estimates

Population estimates for all geography types in Scotland:

  • Data Zone (2011) from 2011 to 2022
  • Intermediate Zone (2011) from 2011 to 2022
  • Council Area (2019) from 1982 to 2023
  • Health and Social Care Partnership (2019) from 1982 to 2023
  • Health Board (2019) from 1981 to 2023

All resources include Scotland figures for the relevant time period.

Population estimates are broken down by single year ages and by sex, and gives totals for both. Based on 2011 and 2022 census data.

Note: Health and Social Care Partnerships may also be referred to as integrated joint boards or integration authorities by other public bodies.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Source https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/mid-year-population-estimates/mid-2016/list-of-tables
Author National Records of Scotland
Maintainer Geography, Population and Deprivation Support Team
Last Updated February 11, 2025, 10:18 (GMT)
Created February 6, 2018, 17:22 (GMT)
Contact Address Public Health Scotland, Gyle Square, 1 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9EB
Subject Reference data
Frequency Annually
Time frame of data and timeliness The latest year is up to 2023 for Council Area, Health Board and HSCP population estimates. For Data Zone and Intermediate Zone, the latest year is up to 2022.
Coverage All geography types in Scotland
Completeness 100%
Accuracy Births and deaths are derived from the civil registration system, which is considered to be virtually complete. Migration is more difficult to estimate because there is no comprehensive registration system in the UK.
Continuity of data Mid-year estimates for 2012 to 2014 were revised to take into account an error that was discovered in 2015. Mid-year estimates for 2011 to 2022 were rebased in July 2024 to take into account results of 2022 Census, and were subsequently revised in January 2025 to take into account an error in Scotland's long-term international migration data for the year to mid-2022, which was identified by the Office for National Statistics in September 2024.
Concepts and definitions Mid-year population estimates are produced annually, based upon the latest census, births, deaths, and migration statistics. Please see information on NRS website: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/mid-2023-population-estimates/ When data from the next census are available those figures are rebased. Please see information on NRS website: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/rebased-population-estimates-scotland-mid-2011-to-mid-2021/
Disclosure No disclosure has been applied
Revision statement From 02-Feb 2018 there has been a minor boundary change to Keltybridge and Fife Environmental Energy Park at Westfield. This affects Council Area, Health and Social Care Partnership and Health Boards. Qualifiers have been added to the relevant resources to reflect these revisions where codes have changed. From 01-Apr 2019 there has been a boundary change to Cardowan by Stepps. This affects Council Area, Health and Social Care Partnership and Health Boards. Qualifiers have been added to the relevant resources to reflect these revisions where codes have changed. Information on Geography codes and labels can be found here: https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/geography-codes-and-labels
Official statistics designation National; Official
Relevance and key uses of the statistics For users who want to know the population estimates each year after the nearest census.
Format csv
Language English
Links

For more information see Population Estimates on ISD Website