Scotland’s population to fall due to Brexit

Scotland’s population had reached a record high in June 2016 owing to migration. Those entering the country were 31,700 more than those who left the country until then. Included in this number were 22,900 from foreigners and 8,800 from other parts of the UK.

Since Scotland also has an ageing population like many other countries in Europe, its government is worried that lowered migration after Brexit would reduce its working population in the long-term.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates indicate that if net migration from the EU falls to zero, the population in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales would not only stop increasing but even decline in the next 20 years.

Even as England’s population would continue growing, certain of its northern regions would also see population declining just like in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Responding to an interim report on the EEA workers impact, Alasdair Allan, the Europe minister of Scottish Government said that the findings from this report emphatically state that reduced migration would lead to decreased growth in total employment and lower output growth, and most employers in Scotland were anxious about future access to the labour market of EEA. He said that the report also acknowledges that rise in population is unsteady across the UK and recognizes their contention that Scotland depends more on international migration for the growth of its future population and to support its island and rural communities. Allan said that the evidence was ample that on migration the government’s position in the UK will not work for Scotland’s needs.

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