City’s population set to hit 600,000 in decade

james73 · City’s population set to hit 600,000 in decade

GLASGOW'S population is predicted to rise steadily for at least the next decade.

In the early 1950s, more than one million people lived and worked in the city.

But by 2006, that figure had plunged to 580,000, with numbers falling 18,000
in just 10 years.

Experts blamed a combination of unemployment and a lack of family homes.

But agencies including the city council, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and the
Chamber of Commerce have made a concerted effort in recent years to
attract businesses and investment to the city, leading to more jobs, more
homes - and finally more people.

New figures show the city has turned the corner, with the number of
residents predicted to rise until 2026 and beyond.

Steve Inch, city council executive director of development and regeneration,
says in a report on Glasgow's population and households that the number
of people living in the city is expected to grow at around 1725 a year until
2016, when it should reach 598,000.

And he predicts that by 2026 it could soar to almost 625,000.

James H

james73

Scotland’s population at 25-year high (Evening Times)

SCOTLAND'S population has soared to its highest level for 25 years.

However, Glasgow's population, at 581,940, is 1.5% down on 10 years
ago.

Scotland's estimated population in June last year was 5,144,200 - up
27,300 on the previous year and the highest level since 1983.

Registrar General for Scotland Duncan Macniven said part of the reason
was because there were 1100 more births than deaths - the first year this
had happen since 1997 - but the rise was mostly due to migration.

"More than 63,000 people left Scotland but nearly 90,000 came here,
mostly from the rest of the UK," he said.

"The net migration gain was over 26,000, with 9000 coming from the rest
of the UK and 17,000 from overseas.

"That's the highest net in-migration figure since our records began in the
early 1950s."

Migrants also helped to boost Scotland's birth rate. Mothers from eastern
Europe accounted for a third of the increase in births in 2006-2007,
although only one in 50 of all births in Scotland was to a mother from
eastern Europe.

The Scottish Government figures show Scotland's population has
increased by 1.6% since 2001, when the total was around five million.

In 2006-2007, 51,500 people came to Scotland from England, Wales and
Northern Ireland, while 42,700 left Scotland to go in the opposite direction.

The net influx of 8800 was about the same as the previous year, although
the numbers of people entering and leaving Scotland had both fallen.

Meanwhile, 37,800 people, including asylum seekers, came to Scotland
from overseas and 21,000 left Scotland to go overseas. The net influx of
16,800 is the highest ever.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "An increasing population and a
vibrant labour market have the potential to boost economic growth and
help our nation prosper."

James H