Scottish Immigration Surges by Over 100% in One Year
The report from the National Records of Scotland revealed that the increase in migration in Scotland was primarily due to a rise in the number of students coming to the country for studies.
According to government figures released on Tuesday, migration in Scotland more than doubled in a single year, reaching its highest level in a decade.
The latest statistics from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) showed that the net migration to the country was 48,800 in the year up to June 2022, compared to 22,200 the previous year.
In the period of 2021–2022, a total of 36,300 more individuals moved to Scotland from outside the UK than those who left, as opposed to 13,300 in the prior year.
The major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh experienced the largest influxes during this time.
The report indicated that the surge in migration was largely driven by international students coming to study in Scotland, with the highest number, around 20,800, coming from China in 2021–2022.
This figure was more than double the 9,500 Chinese students studying in the country during the year 2017–2018.
India followed in second place in terms of students, with 10,200 coming to study in Scotland, and the United States in third with 6,300.
Conversely, there has been a decrease in students from EU nations coming to Scotland post the UK’s exit from the EU.
Net migration from within the UK to Scotland also rose to 12,500 individuals over the same period, compared to 8,900 in the previous year.
The NRS also released revised population estimates for Scotland from 2011 to 2021, indicating a 2.2 percent increase in the country’s population between mid-2011 and mid-2021.
Esther Roughsedge, head of population and migration statistics at NRS, stated, “Today’s report shows that net migration more than doubled between mid-2021 and mid-2022 due to an increase in international migration.
“This increase is likely due to a significant rise in the number of international students studying at universities in Scotland.
“International migration is highest into the big cities, particularly Glasgow and Edinburgh.”
She added, “More people move to Scotland each year from other parts of the UK than leave, averaging around 9,000 people per year over the last decade.
“This figure rose to 12,500 people in the most recent year.
The report highlighted that more people from other parts of the UK moved to Edinburgh than any other place in Scotland.
‘Attractive and Welcoming’
Scottish Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart welcomed the news, stating that Scotland was an “attractive and welcoming” destination for migrants.
The SNP MSP remarked, “Those who choose Scotland as their home help to build our economy, increase our productivity, and contribute to their local communities.
“In many parts of Scotland, the population is falling, and it is evident that we need continued migration to support our economy and help our nation prosper.
“These statistics also reflect the contribution that Scotland has made in offering a warm welcome to people fleeing war and persecution.”
During the most recent census in 2022, Scotland’s population was estimated to be around 5,436,600, making it the second most populous nation in the UK after England.
The migration estimates for 2023 showed that 11 percent came from EU countries, while 82 percent arrived from outside the EU, and the remaining 7 percent were UK nationals moving within the UK.
Similar to Scotland, the majority of migrants from non-EU countries were students, with 423,000 coming for that purpose.
PA Media contributed to this story.
