Geography | Population | Births and Deaths | Households and Housing Employment | Environment
This page contains some of the key facts and figures about Highland. You can view a wide variety of other information by visiting the pages listed in the "In This Section" to the right.
The Highland Council serves a third of the land area of Scotland – including the most remote and sparsely populated parts of the UK - and it has the seventh highest population of the 32 authorities in Scotland. The total land area including all islands at low water is 26,484 square kilometres. This is 33% of Scotland and 11.4% of Great Britain. It is 10 times larger than Luxembourg, 20% larger than Wales, and nearly the size of Belgium.
The length of coastline including islands at low water is 4,905 kilometres, 21% of the Scottish total, and excluding islands is 1,900 kilometres (49% of Scotland). Argyll and Bute has the next longest coastline with 3,723 kilometres, then Western Isles with 3,716 kilometres.
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Population density/area
|
Area (in square kilometres -
excluding inland water) |
Population density
(number of people per square kilometre) |
| Badenoch & Strathspey |
2,356 |
5.5 |
| Caithness |
1,805 |
13.9 |
| Inverness |
2,961 |
25.3 |
| Lochaber |
4,634 |
4.2 |
| Nairn |
424 |
29.1 |
| Ross & Cromarty |
5,108 |
10.1 |
| Skye & Lochalsh |
2,732 |
4.6 |
| Sutherland |
6,071 |
2.2 |
| Highland |
25,659 |
8.7 |
| Scotland |
77,925 |
67.4 |
| Source: NRS mid-year estimates, 2011 |
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Rolled forward population estimates based on the 2001 Census show that in mid 2011 the population of Highland was 222,370. However, initial results from the 2011 Census, published by National Records of Scotland in December 2012, show that the population of Highland on 27th March 2011 (Census day) was 232,000. At the moment only the rounded Highland total is available for the Census and the population figures below will be updated when more detail is available, expected to be in the autumn of 2013.
Highland generally has an older population profile than that of Scotland with similar proportions of children but higher proportions in all the age groups above 50 years.
| |
Highland |
Highland % |
Scotland % |
| 0-15 |
38,940 |
17.5 |
17.4 |
| 16-49 |
73,190 |
32.9 |
46.0 |
| 50-64 |
67,680 |
30.4 |
19.7 |
| 65-74 |
23,450 |
10.5 |
9.1 |
| 75-84 |
13,920 |
6.3 |
5.8 |
| 85+ |
5,190 |
2.3 |
2.1 |
| Source: NRS mid-year estimates, 2011 |
Population by Area
|
Population
in 2011 |
% change
2001-2011 |
| Badenoch & Strathspey |
12,980 |
10.4 |
| Caithness |
25,160 |
-0.1 |
| Inverness |
74,950 |
12.6 |
| Lochaber |
19,290 |
2.9 |
| Nairn |
12,340 |
11.5 |
| Ross & Cromarty |
51,450 |
3.6 |
| Skye & Lochalsh |
12,680 |
4.5 |
| Sutherland |
13,520 |
-1.9 |
| Highland |
222,370 |
6.4 |
| Scotland |
5,254,800 |
3.8 |
| Source: NRS mid-year estimates, 2011 & 2001 |
Population by settlement (main towns plus selected smaller settlements providing locally important services)
| Settlement |
Population |
Settlement |
Population |
| Inverness |
57,960 |
Portree |
2,220 |
| Fort William |
9,820 |
Ullapool |
1,500 |
| Nairn |
9,200 |
Golspie |
1,410 |
| Thurso |
7,340 |
Kingussie |
1,360 |
| Wick |
6,770 |
Dornoch |
1,310 |
| Alness |
5,310 |
Brora |
1,210 |
| Dingwall |
5,080 |
Mallaig |
790 |
| Invergordon |
3,970 |
Broadford |
750 |
| Tain |
3,400 |
Fort Augustus |
720 |
| Conon Bridge and Maryburgh |
2,790 |
Kyle of Lochalsh |
650 |
| Aviemore |
2,730 |
Gairloch |
640 |
| Grantown-on-Spey |
2,400 |
Lochinver |
350 |
| Muir of Ord |
2,360 |
Kinlochbervie |
180 |
| Source: NRS 2010 settlement populations and Highland Council |
Populations Projections
The most recent population projections for Highland show that if current trends continue the population is expected to rise to 255,835 in 2035, a 15% increase from 2010.
| Gender |
2010 |
2020 |
2035 |
% Change 2010 to 2035 |
| Males |
108,740 |
116,450 |
125,570 |
15.5 |
| Females |
112,900 |
120,540 |
130,270 |
15.4 |
| Total |
221,630 |
237,000 |
255,840 |
15.4 |
| Source: Highland Council based on information supplied by National Records of Scotland |
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Births and Deaths
Births and Deaths 2011
|
Highland |
Scotland |
| Births |
| Total Live Births |
2,345 |
58,590 |
| General Fertility Rate births per 1,000 |
62.3 |
56.4 |
| Deaths |
| Total Deaths |
2,440 |
53,369 |
| Death Rate per 100,000 standardised to the European Standard Population |
625 |
641 |
|
Source: National Records of Scotland Vital Events Reference tables 2011 |
Major Causes of Death in Highland and a Crude Comparison with the Rest of Scotland
|
Highland - Number |
Highland as % of Scottish Total |
| Cancer - all types |
698 |
4.5 |
| - Lung, throat, mouth cancer |
168 |
3.9 |
| - Bowel / colon cancer |
59 |
3.8 |
| - Breast cancer |
55 |
5.3 |
| - Stomach cancer |
14 |
3.0 |
| Ischaemic heart disease |
356 |
4.7 |
| Stroke |
248 |
5.4 |
| Accidents |
96 |
5.8 |
| Pneumonia |
81 |
4.2 |
| Highland Population for Comparison |
4.2 |
| Source: National Records of Scotland Vital Events Reference tables 2011 |
Life Expectancy 2008 to 2010
|
Highland |
Scotland |
| Male |
76.4 |
75.8 |
| Female |
81.5 |
80.4 |
| Source: National Records of Scotland: Life Expectancy for Areas in Scotland 2008-10 |
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Households
| Household Type (as percentage of all households in area) |
Highland |
Scotland |
| 1 adult: male |
15.6 |
16.2 |
| 1 adult: female |
19.6 |
20.3 |
| 1 adult, 1+ children |
5.7 |
7.0 |
| 2 adults |
34.1 |
30.5 |
| 2+ adults, 1+ children |
18.0 |
17.8 |
| 3+ adults |
7.0 |
8.0 |
| Total Households (100%) |
101,830 |
2,357,420 |
| Source: NRS Household Estimates 2010 |
Household projections
|
2010 |
2020 |
2035 |
% Change 2010 to 2020 |
% Change 2010 to 2035 |
| Highland |
101,830 |
113,300 |
128,070 |
11.3 |
25.8 |
| Scotland |
2,357,420 |
2,588,600 |
2,888,230 |
9.8 |
22.5 |
| Source: NRS Household Projections, 2010 based |
New House Building - number of New houses Built
| |
Affordable (1) |
Open Market |
All Completions (2) |
| 2001-02 |
127 |
835 |
962 |
| 2002-03 |
133 |
1,099 |
1,232 |
| 2003-04 |
139 |
1,138 |
1,277 |
| 2004-05 |
131 |
1,193 |
1,324 |
| 2005-06 |
145 |
1,220 |
1,365 |
| 2006-07 |
265 |
1,496 |
1,761 |
| 2007-08 |
375 |
1,470 |
1,845 |
| 2008-09 |
403 |
1,165 |
1,568 |
| 2009-10 |
368 |
751 |
1,119 |
| 2010-11 |
526 |
673 |
1,199 |
| 2011-12 |
304 |
753 |
1,057 |
| Source: 1) Scottish Government 2) Highland Council |
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Occupations
|
Highland Number |
Highland % |
Scotland % |
GB % |
| Managers and senior officials |
10,300 |
9.0 |
8.3 |
10.1 |
| Professional occupations |
16,900 |
14.7 |
19.0 |
19.1 |
| Associate professional and technical |
10,500 |
9.1 |
12.9 |
14.0 |
| Administrative and secretarial |
10,700 |
9.3 |
10.9 |
11.0 |
| Skilled trade occupations |
18,000 |
15.7 |
11.4 |
10.8 |
| Caring, leisure and other service occupations |
13,900 |
12.1 |
9.8 |
9.1 |
| Sales and customer service occupations |
10,400 |
9.1 |
9.2 |
8.1 |
| Process, plant and machine operatives |
7,600 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
6.4 |
| Elementary occupations |
15,700 |
13.7 |
11.5 |
10.9 |
| Total Employed (incl. self employed) |
114,000 |
100% |
100% |
100% |
| Source: NOMIS/ONS Annual Population Survey July 2011 to June 2012 |
Economic Activity (Age 16 to 64) 12 months to June 2012
|
Highland Number |
Highland % |
Scotland % |
GB % |
| Economic activity rate |
113,600 |
82.5 |
77.1 |
76.6 |
| % who are employees |
92,800 |
67.4 |
62.3 |
60.3 |
| % who are self employed |
16,700 |
12.2 |
8.1 |
9.5 |
| Unemployment rate |
3,400 |
3.0 |
8.1 |
8.2 |
| Economic activity rate males |
60,400 |
87.4 |
82.3 |
82.8 |
| % males who are employees |
47,900 |
69.3 |
63.3 |
61.7 |
| % males who are self employed |
10,600 |
15.3 |
11.4 |
13.4 |
| Unemployment rate males |
1,700 |
2.7 |
8.7 |
8.8 |
| Economic activity rate females |
53,200 |
77.5 |
72.2 |
70.4 |
| % females who are employees |
44,900 |
65.5 |
61.3 |
59.0 |
| % females who are self employed |
6,200 |
9.0 |
5.0 |
5.7 |
| Unemployment rate females |
1,800 |
3.3 |
7.4 |
7.5 |
| Source: NOMIS/ONS Annual Population Survey July 2011 to June 2012 |
Employment by Sector, Highland
| Sector |
Highland Number |
Highland % |
Scotland % |
GB % |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
1,300 |
1.3 |
1.5 |
0.8 |
| Mining, quarrying and utilities |
2,300 |
2.3 |
2.7 |
1.3 |
| Manufacturing |
6,600 |
6.7 |
7.7 |
8.7 |
| Construction |
6,200 |
6.2 |
5.5 |
4.6 |
| Motor Trades |
2,100 |
2.1 |
1.6 |
1.8 |
| Wholesale |
2,700 |
2.7 |
2.9 |
4.1 |
| Retail |
11,000 |
11.0 |
10.2 |
10.2 |
| Transport and storage (incl. postal) |
5,100 |
5.1 |
4.2 |
4.6 |
| Accommodation and food services |
11,300 |
11.3 |
7.1 |
6.8 |
| Information and communication |
2,100 |
2.1 |
2.4 |
3.9 |
| Financial and insurance |
1,200 |
1.2 |
3.6 |
3.9 |
| Property |
1,300 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
1.5 |
| Professional, scientific and technical |
4,500 |
4.5 |
6.2 |
7.3 |
| Business administration and support services |
5,500 |
5.5 |
7.7 |
8.2 |
| Public administration and defence |
6,000 |
6.0 |
6.4 |
5.2 |
| Education |
8,600 |
8.6 |
8.2 |
9.4 |
| Health |
17,800 |
17.8 |
16.3 |
13.2 |
| Arts, entertainment, recreation and other services |
4,500 |
4.5 |
4.5 |
4.5 |
| Total Employees |
99,900 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
| Full Time Employees |
63,700 |
63.7 |
66.6 |
67.4 |
| Part Time Employees |
36,200 |
36.3 |
33.4 |
32.6 |
| Source: NOMIS/ONS Business Register and Employment Survey 2011 |
Earnings 2012
| |
Highland |
Highland as % of GB |
Scotland as % of GB |
| Gross Weekly Pay (Median) |
| Male Full Time Workers |
£490.7 |
89.5 |
97.3 |
| Female Full Time Workers |
£390.5 |
87.0 |
97.6 |
| Full Time Workers |
£460.4 |
90.7 |
98.0 |
| Hourly Pay (Median) |
| Male Full Time Workers |
£11.9 |
88.4 |
97.7 |
| Female Full Time Workers |
£10.3 |
85.9 |
99.0 |
| Full Time Workers |
£11.2 |
86.7 |
98.1 |
| Source: NOMIS/ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2012, workplace analysis |
Unemployment
Full, up to date, details on Job Seekers Allowance and other DWP benefit claimants in Highland are given on our unemployment and benefits web pages while local information for our Wards is given on ward profiles.
|
Highland Number |
Highland % |
Scotland % |
GB % |
| Economic Activity Rate (1) |
113,600 |
82.5 |
77.1 |
76.6 |
| Unemployment Rate (1) |
3,400 |
3.0 |
8.1 |
8.2 |
| Claimant Count (2) |
3,911 |
2.9 |
4.0 |
3.8 |
| Claimant Count Change - last 12 months (2) |
22 |
0.56 |
-2.93 |
-1.88 |
| Source: NOMIS/ONS 1) Annual Population Survey 12 months to June 2012 (APS) 2) Job Seekers Allowance Claimant Count November 2012 |
The unemployment rate from APS gives a true measure of unemployment using the ILO definition (i.e. out of work, actively seeking work and able to start work) but is only available retrospectively as 12 month averages for large areas such as local authorities. The claimant count is constrained by eligibility criteria but is up to date and available for small areas.
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Nature Conservation Designations
| Designation |
Land area
(hectares) |
% of Highland
land area |
% of Scotland Total Land Area in Highland
land area |
| Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) |
534,671 |
20.2 |
52.4 |
| Special Area of Conservation (SAC) |
409,352 |
15.5 |
63.4 |
| Special Protection Area (SPA) |
464,909 |
17.6 |
46.2 |
| National Nature Reserve (NNR) |
84,584 |
3.2 |
68.7 |
| National Scenic Area (NSA) |
542,250 |
20.5 |
53.1 |
| For comparison, Highland comprises 33% of Scotland's land area |
| Source: Scottish Natural Heritage, September 2012 |
Forested land cover - approximately 17% of Highland is forested, including over 500,000 hectares of woodland cover of which 70% is productive (coniferous) woodland.
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