UK: Scotland's population increased by immigration

21 July 2008

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The General Registers of Scotland, the country's census agency, will report this week that Scotland's population has risen to its highest level in 25 years -- mainly due to immigration.

Scotland's population was originally expected to start falling dramatically as deaths outstripped births; however, inward migration and increasing births have reversed the downward population trend.

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Immigrants have also had a significant effect on Scotland's increasing birth rate, with one in three babies being born to foreign parents in 2007.

Just four years ago, Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell stated that Scotland was sitting on a "demographic timebomb". He felt that the decling population was the "biggest single threat" facing Scotland.

One factor that helped in increasing Scotland's population was the Fresh Talent scheme, which allowed skilled immigrants from outside the European Union to live and work in Scotland. The scheme has since been replaced by Tier 1 (General), part of the UK's new five-tier points based system. Another factor was the surge in immigration since 2004 when eight new nations joined the European Union.

Scotland's population is expected to stay above five million until at least the 2070s.