Migration: supporting the future of Scotland's economy and communities
An overview of Scotland’s population and demographic position, the role of migration in supporting population sustainability, economic growth and community resilience, and the Scottish Government’s proposals to help attract, retain and support people to settle in Scotland.
Footnotes
1 National Records of Scotland (2026b)
2 National Records of Scotland (2026b) Figure 1: Scotland’s population is projected to decrease to 5.47 million by mid-2049
3 National Records of Scotland (2026b) Figure 2: Scotland’s population is projected to fall steadily from mid-2034
4 Office for National Statistics (2026c) 4. Long-term migration & 5. Long-term emigration
5 Office for National Statistics (2026c) Figure 2: long-term net migration continues to fall
6 National Records of Scotland (2026a), Moves between Scotland and the rest of the UK
7 National Records of Scotland (2026b), Figure 7: the largest increase in population over the 25 years to mid-2049 is projected to be in the 75 and over age group
8 National Records of Scotland (2026b), Figure 7: the largest increase in population over the 25 years to mid-2049 is projected to be in the 75 and over age group
9 National Records of Scotland (2026b), Figure 8: the working age population accounted for 64.6% of all people living in Scotland in mid-2024, and this is projected to decline to 64.1% by mid-2049
10 National Records of Scotland (2026a), Population change across Scotland
11 National Records of Scotland (2026a), Figure 12: the number of people aged 16 to 64 years has decreased in most council areas since 2015
12 Jones, C. (2022)
13 Scottish Government (2026a), Table 2.5 (Scotland Employment, Section A: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing), Table 2.6 (GB Employment, Section A), and the overall Scotland and GB employment totals in the same tables
14 Scottish Government (2026c), Rural Scotland Data Dashboard
15 Migration Observatory (2026b), Does the UK require migrant workers to meet its housebuilding goals?
16 Scottish Government (2024)
17 National Records of Scotland (2026a), Figure 12: the number of people aged 16 to 64 years has decreased in most council areas since 2015
18 Diffley Partnership, 56° North (2025)
19 Migration Policy Scotland (2026 – forthcoming)
20 Migration Observatory (2026c)
21 London Economics (2023)
22 Scotland’s Migration Service
23 Migration Observatory (2026b)
24 UK Government (2026d)
25 Food and Drink Federation (2026)
26 Scottish Social Services Council (2025)
27 Migration Advisory Committee (2026)
28 Migrant Integration Policy Index (2025)
29 House of Commons Library (2026)
30 Migration Observatory (2025)
31 Migration Advisory Committee (2025)
32 Home Office (2025)
33 Migration Observatory (2026a)
34 Migration Observatory (2026a)
35 Jutvik, K. and Holmqvist, E. (2025)
36 Royal College of Nursing (2025)
37 Migration Observatory (2024)
38 Wilding, J (2025)
39 Migration Observatory (2025b)
40 Ozkul, D. & Godin, M. (2025)
41 Migration Policy Scotland (2024)
42 IPPR, GMIAU, Praxis (2023)
43 Fragomen LLP (2025)
44 Scottish Government (2026b)
45 Williams, W (2020)
46 Migration Advisory Committee (2024)
47 UK Government (2026c)
48 UK Government (2025)
49 Scottish Government (2020)
50 Scottish Government (2022)
51 Scottish Government (2025a)
52 UK Government (2026a)
53 Scottish Government (2025b)
54 Scottish Government (2025c)
55 UK Government (2026b)
Contact
Email: Migration@gov.scot