Scotland's 2011 census: Island living on the rise

[trout]

Originally published on BBC website on 15 August 2013

 

The number of people living on Scottish islands has risen by 4% to 103,702, according to the latest census figures.

 

According to the census, which took place on 27 March 2011, islanders represented 2% of the population.

 

The largest numbers could be found on Lewis and Harris, which recorded 21,031 residents - an increase of more than 5.5% since 2001.

 

The census is carried out every 10 years. In 2011, Scotland's population stood at 5.2 million.

 

Where island populations rose

Lewis and Harris - up 6%

Shetland mainland - up 7%

Orkney mainland - up 12%

Skye - up 8%

 

A total of 110 islands are classified as "inhabited" for official purposes, with 17 having no residents on 2011 census day.

 

Fifty islands saw an increase in population between 2001 and 2011 - including three which had been zero in 2001.

 

Danna, Eilean da Mheinn, Inchfad, Inner Holm and Soay were each recorded as having just one resident.

 

Registrar General Tim Ellis said: "The population of the Scottish islands has increased over the last 10 years, however much of this increase is a result of the sizable population increases in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.

 

"Some of the other larger islands such as Bute, Arran and Islay have seen population decrease over the decade."

 

Intriguing 'statistic' there for Shetland. Note the word 'mainland'. Wonder what proportions were from any of the Isles against migratory population shift from UK mainland and or further afield?

[Kavi Ugl]

SIBC was reporting on Tuesday that official figures released show that 600 people arrived in Shetland last year while 700 left.

 

For some reason the other news outlets chose not to report this.

 

Maybe I'm thick but yon report looks as clear as mud!.

[shetlandpeat]

It is reporting on islands that have folk on them.

 

I disagree with Kavis first point but have a leaning toward the first

 

Shetland as a whole population lost 100 more than it gained yet the mainland was on of the island that recorded a population increase.

 

Census figures are truly fascinating and much can be gleaned from them.

[MuckleJoannie]

Shetland's population is rising due to births exceeding deaths and net out migration.

 

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/population-estimates/mid2012/1112mype-cahb-tab4a.pdf

 

You can get more population statistics here

 

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/population/estimates/mid-year/2012/list-of-tables.html

 

If you recall a few years ago the SIC decalared a policy of increasing the island's population to 25,000 and it seems this may be coming to pass.

[MuckleJoannie]

There is a map here that you can click on and see the popoulations in 2001 and 2011 for every island in Scotland.

 

http://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/236164-islands-enjoy-population-rise-as-one-in-50-scots-live-off-mainland/

[madmandy]

all very well but that was 2011. Fetlar population is now 83 so has risen 20 since 2011 and I suspect other islands have changed too.

[zebedee]

Shetland as a whole population lost 100 more than it gained yet the mainland was on of the island that recorded a population increase.

 

If the figures are to be believed:

 

Shetland's population increased between 2001 and 2011.

 

Shetland's population decreased by 100 in 2012.

 

Both can be correct.