English

Scotland, Migration and the Referendum: Data and Analysis for an Informed Debate

Report this content

Two major projects analysing migration to and from Scotland have been launched today by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as part of its Future of the UK and Scotland activities to inform the referendum debate.

The projects bring together the expertise of academics from the Centre for Population Change (CPC) and the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford and together will provide the most comprehensive look at internal and international migration between Scotland, the UK and the rest of the world in recent times.

The work undertaken by CPC considers how Scotland differs from the rest of the UK in terms of migration patterns, and in public attitudes towards immigration. Results so far have shown that migration is a stronger determinant of future population change in Scotland than the rest of the UK and that the general public in Scotland has a more tolerant view of migration. Within this, the work examines the potential economic effects of constitutional change, particularly for the income of Scottish Higher Education Institutions, finding that changes to immigration laws could severely affect funding.

CPCs Professor Allan Findlay said:

"The work we are doing at CPC reveals that Scotland is distinct from the UK as a whole: migration is a more important determinant of future population change and the general public are less hostile to immigration. When we consider Scottish Higher Education Institutions for example, we see they are reliant on international students for a larger proportion of their income than institutions in the rest of the UK"

"Because of this, policy rhetoric towards immigration differs greatly between Westminster and Holyrood, and our work aims to explore these complex relations between potential Scottish constitutional change and migration.”

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has developed a suite of analysis looking at international migration to and from Scotland covering details such as the size and make-up of the migrant population of Scotland, the fiscal impacts of immigration to Scotland and analysis of the challenges of regulating international migration in the context of independence.

Dr Scott Blinder, Acting Director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said:

"International migration has played a key role in shaping Scotland. Inflows of students to Scotland’s universities, workers to Scotland’s industries and asylum seekers and refugees who have sought protection have helped to create the modern nation we know, while outflows of migrants have taken Scottish culture to the wider world and helped build bridges with other nations."

"The implications of the referendum for international migration to and from Scotland are complex and unclear, but this project helps to explain what we do and don’t know so that Scottish people can make as informed a choice as possible."

For further information contact:

Centre for Population Change:

Migration Observatory at Oxford University:

For all media enquiries:

ESRC Press Office:

Notes for editors

  1. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UKs largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It supports independent, high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and the third sector. More details about the ESRCs Future of the UK and Scotland programme of activities are available at: www.esrc.ac.uk/scotland and www.futureukandscotland.ac.uk. Follow us: @UKScotland.
  2. The project is being formally launched at the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF this evening between 18.00-20.00 (18 September) at an invitation only event being hosted by the Migration Observatory and the Centre for Population Change. However, the data is all now available at:;

    A limited number of places may still be available for the event; anyone wishing to attend should contact Lindsey Robinson via email at lindsey.robinson@compas.ox.ac.uk

  3. About the Migration Observatory:

    Based at the ESRC Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) at the University of Oxford, the Migration Observatory provides independent, authoritative, evidence-based analysis of data on migration and migrants in the UK, to inform media, public and policy debates, and to generate high quality research on international migration and public policy issues. The Observatory’s analysis involves experts from a wide range of disciplines and departments at the University of Oxford. The Migration Observatory is funded by: Unbound Philanthropy; the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and the Barrow Cadbury Trust. The Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) at the University of Oxford conducts high quality research in order to develop theory and knowledge, inform policy-making and public debate, and engage users of research within the field of migration. COMPAS is core funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

  4. About the Centre for Population Change (CPC):

    The ESRC Centre for Population Change (CPC) was established in January 2009. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and is the UKs first research centre on population change. Based jointly at the University of Southampton and the National Records of Scotland, the ESRC Centre for Population Change brings together expertise from the universities of Southampton, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Strathclyde and Stirling as well as the National Records of Scotland and The Office for National Statistics. The Centre is directed by Professor Jane Falkingham, with co-directors Professor Maria Evandrou and Professor Elspeth Graham

Susie Watts 
Email: susie.watts@esrc.ac.uk 
Telephone: 01793 413119

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Tags:

Economic and Social Research Council