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West Lothian - Population

Also in this section: Population Projections | Settlement Populations | Area Geographies | Local Plan

New local authority level data was issued on 28th April 2009. The figures reveal that the estimated population of West Lothian rose by 1,740 between 2007 & 2008 from 167,770 in 2007 to 169,510 (+1.00%) the population in West Lothian has therefore increased by 6.6% since 2001.

NOTE:The databank has not yet been updated to incorporate the revised tables issued by GROS at the end of April.

The West Lothian population is also continuing to rise at a rate in excess of the projection issued in 2006 (this predicted that the West Lothian population would be 167,609 in 2007, rising to 169,342 in 2008). The latest increase includes 332 overseas migrants (993 arrived & 671 left). The 2007 small area (datazone) populations were published on 6th November 2008, and are included on the right hand menu. The 2008 small area (datazone) populations will not be issued until November 2009.

Summary Statistics for West Lothian 2008
Topic	Group	West Lothian	Scotland
Population 2008	All	169,510	5,168,500
	Males	82,350	2,500,205
	Females	87,160	2,668,295
Households (2008)		72,248	2,331,250
Births (2007)	All	2,284	57,781
	Males	1,182	29,694
	Females	1,102	28,087
Standardised - Birth Rate		13.2	11.2
Life Expectancy at Birth	All	77.2	77.2
	Males	75.2	74.6
	Females	79.0	79.6
Summary Statistics for ALL Council Areas - Clickable map

Population Change 2001 to 2008 Scottish Executive Comparator Authorities
COUNCIL AREA	Pop 2001	Pop 2008	% Change	Persons Per Sq Km
West Lothian	159,030	169,510	+6.6%	397
Fife	349,770	361,890	+3.5%	273
South Lanarkshire	302,340	310,090	+2.6%	175
North Lanarkshire	321,1809	325,520	+1.4%	693
Midlothian	80,950	80,560	-0.5%	228
Clackmannanshire	48,070	50,480	+5.0%	318
Scotland	5,064,200	5,168,500	+2.1%	66

Age Structure 2008
COUNCIL AREA	Aged under 16	Working Age	Pension Age
West Lothian	21%	63%	16%
Fife	18%	62%	20%
South Lanarkshire	18%	62%	19%
North Lanarkshire	19%	63%	18%
Midlothian	19%	61%	20%
Clackmannanshire	19%	62%	19%
Scotland	18%	63%	20%

As shown, West Lothian has a young population that is expanding rapidly (see projection page). Growth is also being boosted by a rapid increase in the migrant population. The proportion of the population over retirement age is also increasing in most areas.

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Contact 01506-775724