Current status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 24 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the reported long-term reduction in the working-age population caused by below-replacement birth rates.
Recent population projections from National Records of Scotland indicate that high levels of positive net migration are projected to offset negative natural change, leading to Scotland’s population being projected to increase each year to mid-2047.
This demonstrates the importance of migration in driving population growth and is why we are using the full extent of our devolved powers to ensure Scotland is as attractive as possible, with a population profile which can support our economy, communities and public services. This includes delivering Scotland’s Migration Service and our Addressing Depopulation Action Plan, reflecting the strategic aims set out in our Population Strategy.
We will also continue to make the case for tailored migration schemes such as our Rural Visa Pilot and recently announced Scottish Graduate Visa. These are strongly supported by stakeholders, deliverable within the existing UK immigration system, and we urge the UK Government to engage substantively with the proposals to ensure that the UK immigration system can meet Scotland’s distinct demographic needs.