Population: policy context
The population of Scotland has increased each year since 2001 and it is now at its highest level ever. For the latest year population growth for Scotland has been lower than that of the EU 15 countries. It was outlined in the Government Economic Strategy (GES) that population growth is a key contributor to, and consequence of, a more vibrant and a more dynamic economy.
The Scottish Government has set a target to match average European (EU15) population growth over the period 2007 to 2017, supported by increased healthy life expectancy in Scotland over this period.
Population growth is a key contributor to, and a consequence of, a more vibrant society and a more dynamic economy. Scotland is projected to experience a significant demographic shift, leading to an increasing average age, caused by considerable increases in the over-60 age group, between now and 2031. Unless we increase labour participation rates among older people or attract more people of working age to Scotland, our economic growth will be adversely affected