Study predicts population changes

The population is expected to rise over the next 25 years

Some parts of Scotland could see their population rise by more than 20% in the space of 25 years, the registrar general has predicted.

However, his report suggested that other areas could see a drop of 15% over the same period.

The country's population is expected to increase by about 5% between 2006 and 2031.

However, Registrar General Duncan Macniven said this rise would not be evenly spread across the country.

Population numbers are expected to rise in 15 of the 32 council areas and fall in the other 17 areas.

Perth and Kinross and West Lothian are expected to see increases of 22% by 2031, but the figures for Inverclyde and East Dunbartonshire are predicted to fall by 15%.

The age of the population is expected to increase in all parts of Scotland, but the number of children aged under 15 is predicted to fall in 24 of the 32 council areas.

The largest falls are expected in Shetland (31%) and East Dunbartonshire (29%), while East Lothian and Perth and Kinross should see the biggest increases (15% and 14% respectively).

Pensioners increase

The number of people of pensionable age is projected to increase in all council areas, with the largest rises expected in Aberdeenshire and West Lothian.

The report said it was hard to predict how many people would migrate to and from Scotland.

However, if the country was to gain twice as many people as expected from migration then the population would increase in 23 council areas.

The latest projections are based on the registrar general's mid-year population estimates for 2006.