Analysis of the characteristics of migrants in Scotland, compared with people born in Scotland

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released new analysis of migrants in Scotland, based on 2011 Census data. This extends analysis of recent and established EEA and non-EEA migrants (an official statistics report published in March 2015) by comparing the characteristics of non-UK migrants with people born in Scotland, and with migrants to Scotland from the rest of the UK.

At the time of the 2011 Census, just over half of all migrants living in Scotland (almost 460,000 people) were born in England. Over 369,000 people born outside the UK were resident in Scotland. The top overseas country of birth was Poland (approximately 55,000 people).

Migrants from outside the UK who had been in Scotland for a longer period of time were more likely to self-identify their primary ethnicity as ‘Scottish.’

Just over 40 per cent of migrants from the rest of the UK had degree level qualifications, compared with 22 per cent of people born in Scotland (and half of all non-UK migrants).

The age profile of the Scotland-born population and migrants from the rest of the UK was similar (with approximately 60 per cent under 50 years of age). ‘Recent’ non-UK migrants - those who arrived in the UK in the 10 years prior to the 2011 Census – were much younger: approximately 95 per cent were aged under 50.

At least 50 per cent of people born in Scotland and all migrant groups (aged 16 or over) were in full- or part-time employment, or were self-employed. 22 per cent of migrants from the rest of the UK were retired, compared with 23 per cent of people born in Scotland. Just one per cent of recent migrants from outside the UK were retired.

People born in the rest of the UK, and established non-UK migrants, were more likely to be in managerial and professional occupations than recent non-UK migrants and the Scottish-born population.

Migrants born in the rest of the UK were the population group least likely to live in urban areas: over 30 per cent were based in rural areas. They were also less likely to live in deprived areas than any of the other population groups.

Approximately 80 per cent of people born in Scotland and the rest of the UK (along with established non-UK migrants) assessed their own health as ‘good’ or ‘very good.’ This compares with 95 per cent of recent non-UK migrants.

The figures released today were produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.