Highland population on the increase (28/04/09)

The population of the Highlands rose from 217,440 in 2007 to 219,400 in 2008, an increase of 1,960 or 0.9%. And for the first time for a decade there were more births than deaths during the year.

The statistics, published by the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) in its mid year estimates for 2008, have been welcomed in the Highlands.

They show: -

• There were 2,363 births and 2,327 deaths giving a natural change of +36. This is the first year that births have exceeded deaths since 1996/97 and follows the trend of an increasing number of births per year in Highland since 2002.
• The population increase is mainly the result of continuing high levels of inward migration to Highland since 2002, and the net inflow was +1,924 people. This was the fifth successive year in which inward migration was around 2,000 people.

Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning Environment and Development Committee said: “This is very welcome news indeed and demonstrates the area is attractive to in-migrants. It is also very encouraging that births have exceeded deaths for the first time in a decade. These statistics provide an important context for the new Highland-wide development plan which is in preparation at the current time.”

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