Lure of the country life appeals as rural population grows at a faster rate
The population of rural Scotland is increasing faster than the rest of the country and a higher proportion of residents rate their neighbourhood as a “very good” place to live, official statistics have shown.
The population growth is attributed to a higher rate of inward migration in a new document comparing lifestyle, the economy and other aspects of living in rural areas with the rest of Scotland.
Around 17 per cent of the population lives in rural Scotland, defined as settlements with less than 3,000 people.
Last year saw the population of remote rural areas rise 0.2 per cent and 0.9 per cent in more accessible rural areas.
The figure for the rest of Scotland was 0.3 per cent.
Fewer residents experienced problems such as crime, litter and graffiti compared with those living in more populated areas, according to Rural Scotland Key Facts.
Life expectancy was longer and more people volunteered in their community.
More residents of rural areas were in work, with employment rates higher than in the rest of Scotland.
More residents were selfemployed and homeworking was more prevalent. However, more people in rural areas are outside a reasonable drive time to key services such as GPS and shops, and fewer people are satisfied with the quality of public transport.
Residents spend more a month on fuel for cars. Around half reported spending more than £100 last year, compared with 38 per cent in the rest of Scotland. The proportion of households in remote rural areas classed as extreme fuel poor – those that spend more than 20 per cent of income on household fuel – is around four times the proportion in the rest of Scotland. Rural areas also have an ageing population and fewer children who walk or cycle to school.
The average property was more expensive and a higher prevalence of second home ownership was having an effect on residents’ abilities to access housing.
A rural area is deemed accessible if it is within a 30-minute drive to a settlement with a population of 10,000 or more.