In 2020 the Improvement Service produced a set of standard set of sub-council area population projections for all 32 councils. Engagement with councils highlights these as a valuable resource that support them in their forward planning and there is continued demand for an updated set of projections. The Improvement Service has therefore agreed to produce an updated set of 2022 based projections which will align with the most recent National Records of Scotland (NRS) 2022 based sub-national population projections. This February, the NRS were able to provide all the necessary data needed to inform these projections and work has now begun in creating these, with an aim to publish the results by late Spring.
The Improvement Service is currently looking to hear from council colleagues who may wish to engage in the validation process, offering their local knowledge to ensure the results are robust. We are currently engaging with both NRS and councils through the NRS’s Population and Migration Statistics Committee but would be keen to hear from councils not already represented through this group. If you are interested in reviewing the projections, please contact research@improvementservice.org.uk.