SCOTLAND’S population continues to rise, reaching its highest ever total in 2014.
Statistics published today by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that the estimated population of Scotland was 5,347,600 in mid-2014.
The figures show a rise of 19,900 (0.4%) people since mid-2013.
The population increased because approximately 3,500 more people were born than died, and because in-migration exceeded out-migration by approximately 17,600 between mid-2013 and mid-2014.
Other changes, such as in armed forces and prisoners, resulted in a loss of approximately 1,200 people.
Between mid-2013 and mid-2014, approximately 49,240 people came to Scotland from the rest of the UK, and approximately 39,660 left Scotland to go in the opposite direction, giving a net migration gain of approximately 9,600.
Between mid-2013 and mid-2014, 33,200 people came to Scotland from overseas and 25,200 left Scotland to go overseas giving a net migration gain of 8,000.
