Population of Argyll and Bute tipped to decline in next 25 years

National Records of Scotland (NRS) has published a report claiming that the country’s overall population will rise by 317,000 households by 2041.

But Argyll and Bute is being projected to lose two per cent of its households in that period. The only others that it is claimed will see a decrease are the Western Isles, North Ayrshire and Inverclyde.

NRS Acting Chief Executive Anne Slater said that the projected figures were based on current trends.

She said: “This is partly because Scotland's population is projected to increase in this period, but also because of our ageing population.

“Older people are more likely to live alone than younger people, and as more people live alone or in smaller households, the number of households will rise at a faster rate than the population.”

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “Figures published by the NRS in March this year show that, based on 2016 projections, the population of all eight local authorities in the west coast of Scotland is projected to fall between 2016 and 2026.

“This is the first time this has ever happened. We have been in discussions with our colleagues in these council areas to look at ways we can jointly address this, and we are committed to making Argyll and Bute a place where people want to live, work, visit and do business.

“The priority of the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership is to grow our population through economic growth, and all our plans are being targeted to try and develop that.

“We are currently working with public, private and voluntary sector partners, to put together a bid designed to attract UK and Scottish Government investment, through a rural growth deal. This would see us receive inward investment over the next 10 years.

“Together with our partners, we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that Argyll and Bute continues to grow as a place people want to live, work, visit and do business.”