Scotland’s changing population will create new pressures and changing demands on public services, and local government is a vital actor in responding to future challenges, highlights a new report published today.
Navigating Demographic Change, produced by the Improvement Service, examines the population change that Scotland faces and highlights its impact on public services and the common challenges this creates for local authorities.
The Scottish population is rapidly becoming older, with people over 65 making up an increasingly large proportion. This, together with changes across all age groups, will have a huge impact on all spheres of government, particularly on the demand for and design of services, health and inequalities, and public finances.
The report highlights the work already being undertaken by councils to address these challenges. Many local authorities are prioritising actions that aim to achieve a more balanced demographic composition within their population, usually by attracting more working age people. These actions include improving the quality and stock of available housing and providing good employment opportunities.
Other actions focus on adapting to an ageing population by redesigning housing, reducing inequalities for older people, and preparing for growing and changing demand.
As well as capturing good practice from across Scotland’s local authorities and regional partnerships, the report points to examples of practice from other countries where local authorities are facing similar demographic changes.
Key messages from the report highlight the continued need for cross-government collaboration, with local government empowered and financed to respond effectively, and the importance of learning from others, including how other countries are responding. The report also considers the integration of different policy approaches such as the Wellbeing Economy and Just Transition, and continuing to work with local communities to understand local needs.