Researchers found that fertility in Scotland was below that of other countries and regions in the United Kingdom. In comparison with their English neighbours, Scottish women left longer gaps between their children, and were more likely to stop at two children. As a result, fertility in Scotland was below the average required to replace the population.
Source: Elspeth Graham, Paul Boyle, George Bouliotis, Vernon Gayle and John Ermisch, Why Is Fertility in Scotland Lower than in England?, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000) | Fran Wasoff, Fertility Variations in Scotland: Attitudes and interactions, Economic and Social Research Council
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | ESRC press release | Telegraph report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Dec
The results were published from the 2005-06 Scottish Household Survey.
Source: Joan Corbett, Pat MacLeod and Steven Hope, Scotland?s People: Results from the 2005/2006 Scottish Household Survey, Scottish Executive (0131 244 8420)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Aug
A report examined policy and practice evidence on existing and projected demographic trends in Scotland. It considered the challenges arising from these demographic changes; some possible responses; and a sketch of a constructive scenario for the following 25-40 years.
Source: Linda Boyes, Andrew Harris and Jim McCormick, Constructive Responses for a Changing Population, Scottish Council Foundation (0131 225 4709)
Date: 2007-May
The estimated population of Scotland on 30 June 2006 was 5,116,900, a rise of 22,100 on the previous year and an increase of 52,700 since mid-2001.
Source: Mid-2006 Population Estimates Scotland, General Register Office for Scotland (0131 314 4243)
Links: Report | GROS press release
Date: 2007-Apr
Researchers examined the attitudes to fertility of men and women of child-bearing age in Scotland. Men and women wanted to have more children than they actually did, with the average ideal family size being 2.48 children, whereas in practice the average was 1.24 for this group.
Source: Fran Wasoff and Ian Dey, Fertility Variations in Scotland: Actual, expected and ideal fertility, Centre for Research on Families and Relationships/University of Edinburgh (0131 651 1832)
Links: Briefing
Date: 2007-Apr
The number of households in Scotland increased by 20,000 (just under 1 per cent) in 2006, to 2.3 million.
Source: Household Estimates for Scotland, 2006, General Register Office for Scotland (0131 314 4243)
Links: Report | GROS press release
Date: 2007-Mar
The Scottish Executive published a strategy for how to respond to, and plan for, a Scotland with an ageing population. There was a need to challenge existing perceptions about ageing, and promote a positive long-term vision which valued older people and allowed Scotland to benefit from their talents and experience.
Source: All Our Futures: Planning for a Scotland with an ageing population, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Strategy part 1 | Strategy part 2 | MORI research | MORI press release
Date: 2007-Mar
A report said that death rates in more deprived areas of Scotland were falling more slowly than in affluent areas. The age-standardized mortality rate in Scotland fell by 30 per cent for men and 25 per cent for women between 1981 and 2001: but male mortality rates in Clydeside were 17 per cent higher than the Scottish average in 2001, compared with only 9 per cent in 1981.
Source: Alastair Leyland, Ruth Dundas, Philip McLoone and Andrew Boddy, Inequalities in Mortality in Scotland 1981-2001, MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit/University of Glasgow (0141 357 3949)
Links: Report | MRC press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Feb
