Aberdeenshire’s population is set to increase by 22% by 2035, according to new figures from National Records of Scotland. The projections also say Scotland’s population will increase by 540,000 over that period.

North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison commented: “This will surely increase the pressure on Aberdeenshire Council to make sure there are sufficient homes, good services and jobs for these extra residents.

“If the predictions are correct, it means developments such as the new town of Chapelton of Elsick near Newtonhill will be in great demand. We will need the homes and the employment opportunitites new developments bring. It confirms that the council was correct to plan for 36,000 more homes across the area in its new development plans.

“This area attracts people from all over the UK and abroad because of our quality of life and low unemployment rate. For example, in the Portlethen and Newtonhill area the unemployment rate is 0.8%. This must be among the lowest level in the UK.”

The population rise in Aberdeenshire would be the fifth highest increase of Scottish local authorities.

The number of children in the county is projected to increase by 15%, the number of people of working age to go up by 15%, and the number of people of pensionable age to rise by 50%, the second highest increase of this age group among councils.

The projected rate of increase among people over 75 is 130%, again the second highest rate among Scottish local authorities.

Both natural change and migration are expected to contribute to Aberdeenshire’s population growth. Natural change plays a larger part in the projected change than at the national level, and about 26% of population growth would be due to this.