Poverty & Inequalities Profile - Falkirk 2010 - Falkirk Council

Poverty & Inequalities Profile
Falkirk 2009
Our Community Population
The tables below provide details of Falkirk’s population in terms of age groups. Table 1 shows the age structure of
Falkirk’s population in comparison to Scotland, which is similar to Scotland’s population. The population of the Falkirk
Council area has been growing since mid 1990’s, up 6.1% since 1994 to 152,480 in 2009. This increase will continue,
the latest projections showing 157,600 by 2015 an increase of 3.3%. In 2020 the population is anticipated to increase
by 6.2% up to 162,000. These increases will impact on all services bringing greater demands for service.
Table 1: Population Estimates 2009
Males Females
Age Group Falkirk % Scotland % Falkirk % Scotland %
Aged 0-15 14,330 19.4% 467,017 18.6% 13,829 17.6% 445,323 16.8%
Working Age 49,014 66.3% 1,679,890 66.8% 45,841 58.3% 1,568,925 58.6%
Pensionable Age 10,563 14.3% 368,381 14.6% 18,903 24.1% 664,464 24.8%
Total 73,907 100.0% 2,515,288 100.0% 78,573 100.0% 2,678,712 100%
Source GROS 2009 Mid Year Estimates
An aging population is an issue that will affect Falkirk, Scotland, UK and Europe. The number of people aged over 65
will increase by almost 3,900 by 2015, by 6,700 by 2020 and by almost 17,000 by 2033. For the very elderly, aged 85+,
there will be an increase of 15% by 2015, 42% by 2020 and 157% by 2033.
This will have a significant impact on demand for services with a consequent financial impact especially for Social Work
and health services.
Ethnicity
The number of people in the Falkirk Council area population from an ethnic minority is very small – only 1,491 people
in the 2001 Census which is the only reliable source. This represents 1% of the total population and is about half the
Scottish total of 2%. 8.7% of the England & Wales’s population is of ethnic minority origin. Within Scotland, 5.5% of
Glasgow’s population was from an ethnic minority and 4% of Edinburgh’s population.
This does not mean that ethnicity is not an issue in our communities; our ethnic minority populations may be more
isolated. It also means that it is difficult to obtain accurate statistical information on the impact of any discrimination
they experience, for example in relation to educational attainment, income levels or employment status.
The largest ethnic community in Falkirk is the Pakistani population which makes up 48% of the total. This followed
by the mixed, Chinese and Indian populations.
Migrant Workers
Information on the numbers of immigrants is not comprehensive. The most inclusive survey is the Census, however,
the last Census was carried out in 2001 and this predates the accession of the A8 states. Research has found that
most migrant workers from the A8 nations only intend to stay for less than a year. It is therefore difficult to ascertain
accurate figures.
Table 2: Number NiNo Registrations
Falkirk Forth Valley Scotland UK
2002/03 140 380 14,750 343,230
2003/04 140 410 15,980 373,500
2004/05 180 540 23,400 435,350
2005/06 460 1,300 41,410 663,060
2006/07 610 1,620 51,880 705,840
2007/08 560 15,60 52,410 733,090
2008/09 440 1,360 4,624 686,110
Total 2,530 5,610 204,454 3,940,180
Source: Department for Work & Pensions
National Insurance Number applications provide
details on the numbers of overseas nationals
intending to work in the UK. This captures those
who seek employment, are self-employed and
students who work part-time. However, records
are not kept on those who leave the UK.
Table 2 shows the number of migrant workers
who have registered for a National Insurance
Number in the Falkirk area in the last few years,
together with comparative information for the
Forth Valley area, Scotland and the UK.
The average migrant worker in Falkirk is male, aged between 18-34, works 35-40 hours per week. 70% earn between
£4.50-£5.99 per hour. This shows that most migrant workers are on the minimum wage, which is currently £5.73 per
hour for adults aged 22+ and £4.77 for those aged 18-21.They are likely to work in Sector Based Training Schemes,
transport, manufacturing, hospitality & catering or administration & business services. 53% of migrant workers intend
to stay for a period of 3 months or less.