Scotland's international net migration fell to 9,300 people in the year to mid-2025, the lowest level since mid-2020, according to population estimates published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) on 14 July 2026.

The figures place Scotland's total population at 5,545,500, an increase of 2,200 people, or less than 0.1%, over the year. Total net migration stood at 17,900. That figure is down from 47,000 in the year to mid-2024 and far below the 83,300 peak in the year to mid-2023.

What drove the slowdown?

Two components shape Scotland's population change: net migration and natural change, defined as births minus deaths. Both moved against growth in the latest year.

• International net migration: 9,300
• Net migration from the rest of the UK: 8,600
• Natural change: -16,200 (45,400 births against 61,600 deaths)

International net migration is now at its weakest since mid-2020. The rest-of-UK inflow also fell after several years of strong gains.

How steep is the two-year fall?

NRS data show a sharp two-year deceleration in Scotland's overall migration gain:

• Year to mid-2023: 83,300
• Year to mid-2024: 47,000
• Year to mid-2025: 17,900

The 17,900 total is the smallest net inflow in the comparable data series. Deaths outnumbered births by 16,200 nationally, a pattern NRS has logged every year since 2015.

In percentage terms, the latest figure is roughly 78% below the mid-2023 peak. The international and rest-of-UK components have fallen in step.

Which council areas grew and which shrank?

Twelve of Scotland's 32 council areas added residents between mid-2024 and mid-2025. The largest increases came in:

• East Lothian
• Midlothian
• Glasgow City
• West Lothian

The steepest declines hit Clackmannanshire, Dundee City and Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Western Isles.

Glasgow City remains Scotland's largest authority at 654,330 residents, followed by City of Edinburgh and Fife. Orkney Islands is the smallest at 21,920, with Shetland Islands and Na h-Eileanan Siar next.

Deaths exceeded births in 30 of the 32 council areas. The two exceptions, Midlothian and Glasgow City, both ran a positive natural change.

What do officials say?

Andrew White, head of population and migration statistics at NRS, said: "Scotland's population is continuing to rise but at a reduced rate compared to recent years. This increase is driven by people moving to Scotland from the rest of the UK and internationally."

White added that, in the year to mid-2025, deaths outnumbered births in every council area except Midlothian and Glasgow City. He noted: "The overall number of deaths registered in Scotland was greater than the number of births, continuing a trend we have seen since 2015."

Why does this matter for migration policy?

Migration remains Scotland's only source of population growth. With natural change running at -16,200 and total net migration at 17,900, the margin is now thin. Any further softening in either the international or rest-of-UK inflow could push Scotland into outright population decline.

The combined inflow of 17,900 leaves little buffer against shocks. The 9,300 international component is the smallest NRS has reported since mid-2020.

The NRS publishes mid-year population estimates each July. The 14 July 2026 release is on the NRS website.