Rutherglen Reformer

Population is on the rise across Lanarkshir­e

Slight increase in official numbers

- ROBERT MITCHELL

New figures have revealed that the population of Lanarkshir­e is 659,200.

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) say that the number of people living here continues to rise.

There were 319,020 people living in South Lanarkshir­e and 340,180 in North Lanarkshir­e.

These latest figures from the NRS are from the middle of last year.

In the year to June 30, 2018, South Lanarkshir­e’s population rose by 850 from 318,170 to 319,020.

And the 10-year figure from June 2008 witnessed a rise of 7710 (2.5 per cent) from 311,310.

The average age in South Lanarkshir­e is 44 and 18 per cent of the population are aged under 16; 63 per cent are working age; and 19 per cent are pensioners.

Migration in South Lanarkshir­e over the last year had 9310 people come into the area and 8010 head out.

Of the arrivals, 7480 per cent hailed from elsewhere in Scotland, 1380 came from the rest of the UK and 450 came from overseas.

And of the 8010 people leaving, 6180 went to somewhere else in Scotland, 1170 headed elsewhere in the UK and 660 went overseas.

From June 2017 to June 2018, the population of North Lanarkshir­e rose by 220 from 339,960 to 340,180.

The 10-year figure from June 2008 witnessed a rise of 6900 (2.1 per cent) from 333,280 to 340,180.

And the average age in North Lanarkshir­e is 41, with 19 per cent of the population aged under 16, 64 per cent of working age and 17 per cent pensioners.

Migration in North Lanarkshir­e over the last year had 7810 arrive and 7260 leave.

Of the people arriving, 6160 came from elsewhere in Scotland, 1170 from elsewhere in the UK and 480 from overseas.

And of the 7260 people leaving, 5690 moved elsewhere in Scotland, 940 went elsewhere in the UK and 630 went overseas.

South Lanarkshir­e’s population density reveals there are 180 people living per sq km, while the figure in neighbouri­ng North Lanarkshir­e is 724.

Paul Lowe, the chief executive of NRS and Registrar General for Scotland, said: “Scotland’s population continued to increase over the year, with a record high of 5.44 million people now living in Scotland.

“Migration continues to be the main driver of Scotland’s population growth – with more people coming to Scotland than leaving.

“Whilst the population has increased, the rate of population growth has slowed as a result of a reduction in net migration and more deaths than births in the last year. “

He added: “During this time we have seen a mixed picture regarding population growth, with 18 of Scotland’s council areas seeing an increase in population compared to 14, mostly rural or island, council areas which experience­d depopulati­on, three more than the previous year.”

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