Population - estimated number of residents in North Lanarkshire (c02)

• This measure shows the population of North Lanarkshire as at a defined point in time.
• It is an estimate count as at 30 June each year of residents in an area.  It captures the main components of population change from year to year in respect of births, deaths, and net migration as well as changes in the armed forces and prison population.
• Following the publication of the 2022 Census results, and a national review of international and internal migration for Scotland, local authority and national population estimates were re-based from 2011 onwards to ensure a more accurate and up to date position moving forward.   

Why this matters

• Measuring the population on an ongoing basis is important as it provides the evidence needed to understand changing demographic needs and plan services effectively. By grounding decisions in reliable and consistent data on how many people live in an area and what their characteristics are, population estimates help identify where demand is growing, and where targeted support is required.

Latest performance

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) have produced a summary of the findings from the 2024 mid-year estimates.  This includes: 

• Comparisons across all 32 local authorities in Scotland 
• A profile for each local authority

How North Lanarkshire has performed

North Lanarkshire has the 4th highest population in 2024, out of all 32 council areas in Scotland. The latest estimated population of North Lanarkshire as at June 2024 is 344,540 (Figure 02a).  This continues an increasing trend from the previous year.  

• The latest estimates for the population of North Lanarkshire (344,540) are an increase of 0.51% from 342,780 in 2023. Over the same period, the population of Scotland increased by 0.74% (Figure 02b).
• Between 2001 and 2024, the population of North Lanarkshire has increased by 7.3%. This is the 19th highest percentage change out of the 32 local authority areas in Scotland. Over the same period, Scotland’s population rose by 9.5%.
• Over the period of The Plan for North Lanarkshire the population has increased by 1.2%, compared to growth of 3% nationally.
• In 2024, there were more females (51.3%) than males (48.7%) living in North Lanarkshire. There were also more females (51.4%) than males (48.6%) living in Scotland overall.

The increasing trend in North Lanarkshire’s population from 2023 to 2024 mirrors the increase in the national average and 26 other local authority areas in Scotland.  Only five local authority areas (i.e. Argyll and Bute, Angus, Dundee City, Western Isles, and Dumfries and Galloway) saw a population decrease over the same period.

Impact of delivering The Plan for North Lanarkshire

An increasing population can support growth by expanding the workforce, boosting economic activity, and increasing demand for goods and services, which can stimulate investment and create jobs. 

It also contributes to long‑term prosperity by helping maintain a balanced demographic profile, ensuring there are enough working‑aged people to sustain public services and support an ageing population. When well planned for, population growth enables services, infrastructure, and opportunities to develop in ways that benefit all communities.