Scotland’s population is changing in ways that could transform the face of the country. While the latest figures show a recent upswing in births and migration to Scotland and a projected rise in the population over the next 25 years, in the long term Scotland’s population (in common with many other developed nations) is predicted to decline and age markedly. This trend and its key implications are outlined in a new publication, ‘Scotland’s demographic trends: insights from Scotland’s Demography Research Programme Findings’. This booklet highlights research findings from a two-year research initiative, funded jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Scottish Government.
In the absence of significant in-migration, Scotland’s population is set to decline in the long term and these projections have important implications for the economy, public services, the labour market and the quality of everyday life.
In 2005, the ESRC and Scottish Government launched the £300,000 ‘Scotland’s Demography Research Programme’ to investigate three key aspects of Scotland’s demography: migration, fertility and the impact of an ageing population. Alongside the new publication, ‘Scotland’s demographic trends: insights from Scotland’s Demography Research Programme’, a one-day seminar to disseminate key developments from the initiative will be held in the Point Hotel in Edinburgh on 7 December 2007.
Some of the key findings include:
More than 20 researchers based in five academic institutions across Scotland took part in the ESRC/ Scottish Government-funded ‘Scotland’s Demography Research Programme’.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Alexandra Saxon at ESRC, on 01793 413032 Email: Alexandra.saxon@esrc.ac.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
a. Why is fertility in Scotland lower than in England" - Contact Professor Elspeth Graham, Telephone: 01334 462894 or Email: efg@st-and.ac.uk
b. Fertility variations in Scotland: socio-cultural attitudes and interactions - Contact Professor Fran Wasoff, Email: fran.wasoff@ed.ac.uk
c. Macroeconomic impacts of demographic change in Scotland - Contact Professor Peter McGregor, Telephone: 0141 548 3842 or Email: p.m.mcgregor@strath.ac.uk
d. Scottish graduate migration and retention: a case study of the University of Edinburgh 2000 - Contact Mr Ross Bond, Telephone: 0131 650 3925 or Email: r.j.bond@ed.ac.uk
e. Scottish ageing population: microsimulation of the baby boomers - Contact Professor David Bell, Telephone: 01786 467470 or Email: d.n.f.bell@stir.ac.uk
f. Scottish migration to, and return from, SE England - Contact Professor Allan Findlay, Telephone: 01382 344434 or Email: a.m.findlay@dundee.ac.uk