Population Estimates: Young and Old
type: Dataset
conforms to: http://mlcommons.org/croissant/1.0
contact point: ContactPoint
date modified: 2026-08-20T16:31:05.216268
date published: 2026-08-20T16:27:35.930520
description: This dataset presents population estimates for people who are young (under 16 years), old (70 years and over) and very old (85 years and over). Population estimates for mid-2012 to mid-2022 have been revised following Scotland's Census 2022. For more information on [population statistics](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/mid-year-population-estimates), please see the NRS website. [Small area population population estimates](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/2011-based-special-area-population-estimates/small-area-population-estimates) are available on the NRS website.
accuracy: Population estimates are based on the 2022 Census and updated annually by 'ageing on' the population and applying information on births, deaths and migration.
comment: Mid-year population estimates for 2011 onwards. Higher geographies are aggregated from 2011 Data Zones.
completeness: It is the policy of NRS to make its website and products accessible according to published guidelines. More information is available in the Accessibility section of the NRS website.
confidentiality: This dataset does not contain any sensitive or personal information.
consistency: *Coherence* - Further information on the population estimates can be found in methodology sections on the National Records of Scotland (NRS) website for [Mid-year Population Estimates](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/mid-year-population-estimates) and [Small Area Population Estimates](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/2011-based-special-area-population-estimates/small-area-population-estimates). *Comparability* - The statistics are designed to be consistent, and incorporate comparable historical data where appropriate. The small area estimates are consistent with the higher level mid-year estimates for council areas and for Scotland.
geographical coverage: S01
geographical coverage: S92
geographical coverage: S16
geographical coverage: S02
geographical coverage: S13
geographical coverage: S12
geographical coverage: S08
license id: uk-ogl
quality management: The population estimates undergo quality assurance at each stage of production. NRS also have processes in place to quality assure the administrative sources used in the production of population estimates. Further information on the quality assurance of the population estimates can be found in the Mid-year Population Estimates [Methodology Guide](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/population/population-estimates/mid-year-population-estimates) on the National Records of Scotland (NRS) website.
reference period: PeriodOfTime
  end date: 2022
  start date: 2011
timeliness: The estimates refer to the population as at 30 June each year. The population estimates and Scotland and council levels are usually published ten months after this data. The small area population estimates are usually published fourteen months after this date. The dates of publications are preannounced on the [Future Publications](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/future-publications) section of the NRS website.
uniqueness: Not assessed
update frequency: annual
validity: Population estimates are used for a variety of purposes including resource allocation and planning of services such as education and health. They are also used for calculating rates and performance measures, informing local and national policy, weighting surveys and in modelling the economy. In addition, population estimates at data zone level can be used as building blocks for a variety of different geographies that can inform planning, provision of services at sub-council area level and allocation of resources. They are used as the denominator to calculate many per capita rates and are available to use as the denominator in devising other rates a user might wish to create. The estimates are also important in a number of other applications, such as the development and maintenance of the Scottish Government's Urban Rural Classification and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD).
will be updated: false
included in data catalog: CKAN
keywords: Population
license: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/
record set: records

Scottish Government
type: Organization
contact point: ContactPoint
  contact type: customer service

DateCode
type: Field
data type: Text
source:
  extract:
    column: DateCode

population-estimates-young-and-old.csv
type: FileObject
description: Data file for Population Estimates: Young and Old
comment: Mid-year population estimates for 2011 onwards. Higher geographies are aggregated from 2011 Data Zones.
dictionary: Column
  column: Sex
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyType
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyName
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: DateCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Value
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Units
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Age
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Measurement
  type: text
encoding format: CSV

Measurement
type: Field
data type: Text
source:
  extract:
    column: Measurement

Units
type: Field
data type: Text
source:
  extract:
    column: Units

GeographyName
type: Field
data type: Text
source:
  extract:
    column: GeographyName

Sex
type: Field
data type: Text
source:
  extract:
    column: Sex

Value
type: Field
data type: Text
source:
  extract:
    column: Value

GeographyCode
type: Field
data type: Text
source:
  extract:
    column: GeographyCode

Age
type: Field
data type: Text
source:
  extract:
    column: Age

GeographyType
type: Field
data type: Text
source:
  extract:
    column: GeographyType