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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Joe Sullivan

In numbers: Here's three ways Scotland has changed since the indyref

THERE has been much in the way of political change in Scotland since the days of the indyref, between Brexit, two Holyrood elections and four at Westminster.

But the country has also changed a lot outside of politics.

Here's three of the biggest ways Scotland has become different since the time of the indyref.

Renewable energy

In 2014, Scotland was already making good headways in transitioning to renewables.

That year, UK Government figures showed that almost half – 49.7% – of Scotland's energy demand was met by renewable sources.

By 2022, the last full year for which figures are available, that figure had hit 113%.

Due to energy exports, the amount of renewable energy actually consumed by Scotland each year was lower than these headline figures.

Demographics

Scotland's population has also changed in recent years.

In 2022, the National Records of Scotland estimated the country's population to be 5,447,700, an increase of more than 100,000 on the 2014 figure of 5.35 million.

Besides becoming larger in recent years, Scotland has also become more international.

Some 10.2% of Scotland's population was born outside the UK in the 2022 Census, compared to 7% in 2011, the year closest to 2014 for which data is available.

The country has also become more diverse – the number of people with a minority ethnic background increased 4.5%, from 8.2% in 2011 to 12.9% in 2022.

Education

Finally, Scotland has become a much more highly educated country.

The amount of Scots holding higher education degrees has increased dramatically in recent years.

Just over one in four – 26.1% – had degrees or professional qualifications in 2011.

But by 2022, that figure soared, with almost a third – 32.5% – holding degrees or professional qualifications.

That's an increase of 29.2%, or more than 330,000 people over the 2011 figures.

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