Birth rates have been steadily dropping across Scotland over the last 20 years, data from the National Records of Scotland shows. In 2024, 45,763 births were recorded in Scotland which was the lowest yearly total since 1855.
Stirling is among the lowest ranking council areas on standardised birth rates, placing 28th out of the 32 council bodies in the country. The county has also seen a drop in teenage pregnancies, as the 19-years-old and younger age group has seen the largest decrease in births between 2003 and 2023, dropping by 54.8 per cent. Every other age group between 19-years-old and 40-years-old has also witnessed a fall in birth rates.
However, the 40-years-old and above group has seen an increase in births, shooting up by 25 per cent.
Parenting Across Scotland reports that on average, the number of children that women are having is on the decline, while the age that women have children at is rising. They also commented on teenage pregnancy, stating that it has fallen more rapidly in deprived areas of Scotland.
Fertility Rate and Widening Age Gap
Irregardless of age, women are also having less children, data from NR Scotland reports.
The fertility rate, which measures how many children a woman gives birth to and is adjusted based on the age of women in the population, has also fallen in Stirling and across Scotland as a whole. If there were no migration, a rate of 2.1 would be needed for the population to replace itself. In Scotland, the fertility rate fell to 1.25 in 2024, down from 1.27 in 2023 and 1.33 in 2022.
While the 2024 statistics are not yet available for Stirling, the fertility rate has been on a downward trend in the last few years, falling from 1.27 in 2022 to 1.26 in 2023.
Scotland’s fertility rate is below the EU average, despite the EU also showing a decrease. In 2023, Scotland sat at 1.27 while the EU’s average stood at 1.38, down from 1.46 the previous year.
As well as this falling fertility rate, the death rate has decreased by two per cent since 2023. The total number of deaths in 2024 was 8.7 per cent lower than predicted, contributing to a widening age gap in Scotland.
NR Scotland’s data shows that this age gap is also widening in Stirling, with the number of people aged between 30-years-old and 49-years-old having declined since 2003. Furthermore, the number of residents aged between 50 to 90 has increased in the last 20 years. Currently, 2023’s statistics show that the two largest age groups in Stirling are those aged 20 to 24 and 50 to 59.
Stirling to See Increase in Population by 2028
Despite the decrease in births and the widening age gap in Stirling, the city is still expected to see an increase in population between now and 2028. NR Scotland reports that Stirling will see a projected population increase of 4.8 per cent.
However, despite the expected increase, Stirling will still be among the lowest populated council areas in Scotland, sitting at 24th place out of the 32 council areas.
Average Life Expectancy Increased
NR Scotland also reported on several other statistics within Stirling. The average life expectancy for females was higher than for males (81.9 years compared to 78.3 years).
Both are slightly above the Scottish average, which is 80.77 years for females and 76.79 for males, statistics from 2021-23 show.
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Fourth year student journalist studying Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Journalism Studies.
Words at Brig, The Daily Evergreen, Alloa Advertiser, Discovery Music Scotland, and The Mourning Paper.
