Factfile - Population
Outer Hebrides
Outer Hebrides Population Change 1901 to 2001
| Year | Persons Present | Persons Resident |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 46,172 | |
| 1911 | 46,732 | |
| 1921 | 44,177 | |
| 1931 | 38,986 | |
| 1939 | 38,529 | |
| 1951 | 35,591 | |
| 1961 | 32,609 | |
| 1971 | 29,891 | |
| 1981 | 31,884 | 30,713 |
| 1991 | 29,370 | 29,600 |
| 2001 | - | 26,502 |
| 2018* | - | 25,800 |
| 2033** | - | 25,100 |
*2018 and 2033 figures are a population projection calculated by NRS based on figures from 2008. (Source:National Records of Scotland (NRS)
(Source: General Register Office for Scotland , Census of Population)
The 2001 Census population figure is based on those 'resident' on Census night. Previous Censuses have also considered 'persons present' in a household on Census night and therefore may not be normally resident at an address. It is considered that 'persons resident' is a more accurate indicator of the actual population. In 2001 there were 26,502 people resident in the Outer Hebrides compared to a resident population of 29,600 in 1991.
Although based on slightly different criteria, a historical comparison of the figures indicate that within the 20 th Century the population of the Outer Hebrides has dropped considerably in terms of actual numbers. Between 1901 and 2001 the population has fluctuated with different rates of change between decades. However, despite an increase in population between 1901 and 1911 and again between 1971 and 1981, overall within the last 100 years the population has declined by approximately 43% or 19,670 persons.
Components of Population Change 1991-2001
Area |
Est. Pop 1991 |
Births |
Deaths |
Natural Change |
Migration & Other Changes |
Est. Pop 2001 |
Population Change |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | |||||||
Scotland |
5,083,330 |
595,362 |
601,707 |
-6,345 |
-12,785 |
5,064,200 |
-19,130 |
-0.4 |
Eilean Siar |
29,330 |
2,794 |
4,148 |
-1,354 |
-1,526 |
26,450 |
-2,880 |
-9.8 |
Shetland Islands |
22,530 |
2,862 |
2,410 |
452 |
-1,022 |
21,960 |
-570 |
-2.5 |
Orkney Islands |
19,520 |
2,124 |
2,331 |
-207 |
-93 |
19,220 |
-300 |
-1.5 |
(Source:National Records of Scotland (NRS), Population Estimates and Projections)
Between 1991 and 2001 all three islands groups have a higher rate of decline than the national average, of the three however, the rate of decline in the Outer Hebrides is particularly marked at 9.8%. According to the 2001 Census this is in fact the highest figure for all 32 Scottish Local Authorities over this time period (second is the City of Glasgow at 8.0%, third Inverclyde at 7.9%, and fourth Dundee City at 6.5%). The influence of the key components of population change in Eilean Siar between 1991 and 2001 was roughly similar with both a negative net natural change (more deaths than births) and negative net migration (more people moving out of the area than into it) of around 5%.
Components of Population Change 2001-2008
Est. Pop 30 June 2001 |
Births |
Deaths |
Nat Change |
Est. Net Civilian Migration |
Other Changes |
Est. Pop 30 June 2008 |
Population Change |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | ||||||||
Scotland |
5,064,200 |
381,793 |
395,950 |
-14,157 |
118,365 |
92 |
5,168,500, |
-104,300 |
2.1 |
Eilean Siar |
26,450 |
1,714 |
2,644 |
-930 |
680 |
0 |
26200 |
-250 |
-0.9 |
(Source:National Records of Scotland (NRS), Population Estimates and Projections)
Outer Hebrides Population by Age Group 1991 - 2001
Age Group |
Outer Hebrides 1991 % |
Outer Hebrides 2001 % |
|---|---|---|
0-4 |
6.1 |
4.9 |
5-19 |
20.8 |
18.1 |
20-44 |
32.3 |
30.2 |
45-64 |
22.4 |
27.0 |
65-84 |
16.2 |
17.1 |
85+ |
2.2 |
2.7 |
(Source: National Records of Scotland (NRS)
The age structure of the Outer Hebrides is changing and essentially ageing. In 2001 there was a greater proportion of the population in the older age groups than the younger age groups and this trend is continuing.
