Geography For Schools

Figures released by the Registrar General for Scotland estimate Scotland's population to have been 5,094,800 on 27 April 2006, an increase of 16,400 on the previous year and an increase of 30,600 since mid-2001.

As in recent years, there were more deaths than births however this natural decrease was more than counterbalanced by an estimated migration gain of around 19,000 because more people came to Scotland than moved away.

For the full report, visit: www.scotland.gov.uk/news/releases/2006/04/27094951

Between the years 1991 and 2001 the population of Scotland as a whole decreased by 42,800. the population of some rural areas increased, such as Highland (+2.4%), but in other areas there was a significant decrease, such as in the Western Isles (-10%). Information on specific settlements in the Highland region can be found through the following link to the Highland Council website:

www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/highlandfactsandfigures/populationandmigration/

Also, Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council website) has useful information.