Biggest and smallest places in Scotland by population (2025)

Glasgow was the most populated of Scotland’s 32 councils in 2025 (population estimate 654,330).

Orkney Islands was the least populated (21,920). The middle council, East Ayrshire, had 121,350.

Map of population estimate across the UKSee it on the map
Population estimate for every council in Scotland, highest first. Councils without a figure are listed last with the reason.
RankCouncilValue
1Glasgow654,330
2Edinburgh531,370
3Fife373,990
4North Lanarkshire343,930
5South Lanarkshire334,330
6Aberdeenshire264,640
7Highland237,260
8Aberdeen230,180
9Renfrewshire189,270
10West Lothian187,240
11Falkirk160,230
12Perth and Kinross154,930
13Dundee148,390
14Dumfries and Galloway145,490
15North Ayrshire133,660
16East Ayrshire121,350
17Scottish Borders116,800
18East Lothian116,460
19Angus114,610
20South Ayrshire112,280
21East Dunbartonshire109,550
22Midlothian100,390
23East Renfrewshire99,840
24Moray94,730
25Stirling94,040
26West Dunbartonshire88,340
27Argyll and Bute87,310
28Inverclyde78,550
29Clackmannanshire51,610
30Na h-Eileanan Siar25,770
31Shetland Islands22,710
32Orkney Islands21,920

Source and method · See it on the map