RENFREWSHIRE’S population is expected to grow by just a few thousand in the next quarter of a century.

It is estimated that, by 2043, there will be 185,360 people living in the area, compared to 178,294 in 2018 – a rise of 4.3 per cent.

Projections released by National Records of Scotland (NRS) show limited population growth in the coming decades as deaths outnumber births.

It is suggested any increase will be due to new residents coming to live in Renfrewshire from elsewhere in the UK or globally.

The NRS report also predicts the number of elderly Scots will increase as a result of a boost in life expectancy.

Men in Renfrewshire lived to an average of 76 in 2018, with the average life expectancy for local woman even higher at 81.

By 2043, that is expected to improve to 79 and 83 respectively.

However, people living in neighbouring East Renfrewshire can expect to live another two to four years beyond those figures.

And there remains significant discrepancies across the country.

For example, a baby girl born in 2027/28 in the Western Isles is likely to live to almost 86 – some seven years longer than a baby girl born at the same time in Glasgow, which has the lowest projected life expectancy.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “As things stand, all of Scotland’s population growth over the next 25 years, including our working-age population, is projected to come from migration.”

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