Population 'to hit highest level'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8318313.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The population of Scotland is expected to rise to its highest ever level over the next three years, according to the latest official forecast.

By 2012, the current population of 5.17 million is expected to rise to more than 5.25, which was the previous record figure set in 1974.

The Registrar General for Scotland Duncan Macniven said it was a bigger rise than previously projected.

He said this was down to the continuing rise in birth rate and migration.

"That raises the starting-point for our new figures, and also suggests that Scotland's population will continue to be boosted by births and migration," he said.

"Scotland's highest ever population, 5.25 million in 1974, is now likely to be exceeded as early as 2012."

Rise rapidly

The projected population in 2012 is 5,253,000.

Mr Macniven also predicted the population will continue to increase annually until 2033, alongside an increase in several groups of society.

For example the number of people of pensionable age is projected to rise from 1.02 million to 1.07 million in 2018, representing an increase of 6%.

It is then projected to rise more rapidly, reaching 1.34 million in 2033, a rise of about 31% compared to 2008.

The number of people aged 75 and over is projected to increase by around 23% from 2008 to 2018.

It is then projected to continue rising, reaching 0.72 million in 2033 - an increase of 84% over the 25-year period.