East Renfrewshire recorded a modest increase in its population over the year to mid-2025, according to newly published National Records of Scotland (NRS) data. The area’s total rose from 99,440 to 99,840, an increase of 400 people, equivalent to 0.4%.
Migration patterns behind the change
The local rise was driven primarily by people relocating from other parts of Scotland. Over the period:
- 3,270 people moved into East Renfrewshire from elsewhere in Scotland;
- 2,520 left the area for other parts of Scotland;
- 360 arrived from the rest of the UK (outside Scotland) while 470 left for elsewhere in the UK;
- 490 came from outside the UK and 590 emigrated abroad.
Overall, 4,110 people arrived in the area and 3,580 departed during the year, producing a net migration gain of 530. Local officials note that without this positive net migration within Scotland the authority’s population would have declined.
Births, deaths and wider Scottish context
Like most of Scotland, East Renfrewshire recorded more deaths than births in the year: 796 births were registered compared with 927 deaths. Across Scotland as a whole, the population edged up from 5,543,300 to 5,545,500 but that overall change was not large enough to be expressed as a percentage rise in the reporting.
“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.”
The quotation above comes from Andrew White, head of population and migration statistics at the National Records of Scotland, commenting on the national picture accompanying the local figures.
What this means locally
The numbers point to several immediate local implications. A net inflow of people from elsewhere in Scotland has helped stabilise overall population levels despite a natural decrease (more deaths than births). That movement can affect demand for services such as schools, health provision and housing, though the small scale of the increase—just 400 people—means the impact is likely to be gradual rather than abrupt.
| Measure | East Renfrewshire, mid-2024 | East Renfrewshire, mid-2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 99,440 | 99,840 |
| Net migration (within Scotland) | +750 (3,270 in; 2,520 out) | |
| Births vs deaths | 796 births; 927 deaths | |
Council officers and local service planners will use these figures as part of their short- and medium-term strategies. While migration has offset the natural decrease this year, the balance between births and deaths — and longer-term migration trends — will determine whether population growth continues.
For residents, the change is a reminder that East Renfrewshire remains attractive to people relocating from elsewhere in Scotland, while the area also participates in wider national flows to and from the rest of the UK and overseas.
