Household numbers projected to rise in Scotland's National Parks and around its biggest cities

Figures published today by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that the number of households is projected to rise around Scotland’s biggest cities, and within its two National Parks.

The number of households is projected to grow in the regions around Scotland’s biggest cities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, where around three quarters of the population of Scotland live. The projected growth over the next 25 years ranges from 12% in Glasgow & Clyde Valley to 24% in Aberdeen City & Shire.

The projected growth in household numbers is lower in the two National Parks, at 6% for Cairngorms National Park and 1% for Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.

Scotland’s population is ageing, and older people are more likely to live in smaller households or alone. By 2039, the projections indicate that at least 29% of households will be headed by people aged 65 or over in each of these areas, with the highest figures being in the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park (51% of households).

Tim Ellis, the Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland, said:

“Today’s figures show a projected rise in the number of households around Scotland’s four biggest cities, where around three quarters of the population lives. Although the number of households is also expected to rise in the two National Parks, the rise is much lower.

“These statistics play an important role helping us predict where people will be living over the next 25 years, allowing policy makers to reach decisions about housing and services in Scotland.”

Background

1. These figures are based on a National Statistics publication released today by NRS.

2. The publication contains statistics for the following areas:

Scotland’s four Strategic Development Plan (SDP) areas:

• Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan Area (Glasgow & Clyde Valley SDP area
• Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan Area (Aberdeen City & Shire SDP area)
• Edinburgh and South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan Area (SESplan SDP area)
• Dundee, Perth, Angus and North Fife Strategic Development Plan Area (TAYplan SDP area)

Scotland’s two National Parks:

• Cairngorms National Park (CNP)
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (LLTNP).

3. The household projections are trend-based and are not, therefore, policy-based forecasts of what the Government expects to happen. Specifically, the assumptions do not take account of the recent referendum vote to leave the European Union.

4. Equivalent figures for Scotland, and for each Council area in Scotland, are available from the NRS website.

5. Further statistics and information.