Scotland’s population growth fastest on record

THE population grew at its fastest rate on record last year, new figures suggest.

A record number of immigrants and fewer people leaving the country increased Scotland’s population by around 27,000, according to long-term migration estimates from the latest International Passenger Survey (IPS).

The estimates suggest that around 45,000 people entered Scotland in 2010, the highest immigration number since contemporary estimates began almost 20 years ago.

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Around 18,000 people left Scotland, the lowest number since 1999, the year of devolution. According to Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates, Scotland’s population is now 4,823,000.

The vast majority of immigrants came from overseas, with 34,000 non-British citizens coming to Scotland and 9,000 leaving.