Scotland’s population increased by 2,200 in the year to mid-2025, according to new figures from National Records of Scotland.
The population was estimated at 5,545,500 at mid-2025.
This was an increase of less than 0.1% from the previous year and was smaller than the increases seen in most recent years.
In the two decades to mid-2024, the average annual population increase was around 23,000.
There were 45,400 births and 61,600 deaths in the year to mid-2025.
Migration continued to be the main reason for population growth.
Net international migration stood at 9,300 between mid-2024 and mid-2025, while net migration between Scotland and the rest of the UK was 8,600.
Together, this gave total net migration of 17,900.
This was lower than the recent peak of 83,300 in the year to mid-2023 and the figure of 47,000 in the year to mid-2024.
Andrew White, Head of Population and Migration Statistics at National Records of Scotland, said: “Scotland’s population is continuing to rise but at a reduced rate compared to recent years. This increase is driven by people moving to Scotland from the rest of the UK and internationally.
“In the year to mid-2025, deaths outnumbered births in all council areas except Midlothian and Glasgow City. The overall number of deaths registered in Scotland was greater than the number of births, continuing a trend we have seen since 2015.”
East Lothian recorded the largest population increase, rising by 1.1%, or 1,280 people.
Midlothian grew by 0.7%, or 670 people, while Glasgow City increased by 0.6%, or 4,010 people.
West Lothian also grew by 0.6%, or 1,080 people.
The populations of 20 of Scotland’s 32 council areas fell between mid-2024 and mid-2025.
The largest falls were recorded in Clackmannanshire, down 0.7%, Dundee City, down 0.6%, Na h-Eileanan Siar, down 0.6%, and Stirling, down 0.6%.
Scotland’s population also continued to age.
At mid-2025, 21% of the population was aged 65 and over, compared with 16.3% at mid-2005.
Over the same period, the percentage of children aged from birth to 15 fell from 18.2% to 15.8%.