The number of households in Scotland continues to increase despite a slowdown in the rate of growth since 2007.

These increases are projected to continue over the coming 25 years.

Commenting following the release of 'Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2011' and 'Household Projections for Scotland, 2010-based,' the Registrar General, George MacKenzie, said: "The number of households in Scotland has been increasing in each year since 2001. This is partly due to increases in population but is mainly a result of changes in household structure. More people are living alone and in smaller households. The rate of growth has slowed since 2007 and the increase between 2010 and 2011 was the lowest in the past ten years. The economic downturn has led to reductions in new house building and constrained mortgage and labour markets, and this is likely to be affecting new household formation.

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"Over the next 25 years, the number of households in Scotland is projected to increase by more than a fifth to 2.89 million in 2035. Over the same period the changes in household structure are projected to continue, with average household size falling from 2.17 people in 2010 to 1.95 people in 2035. There are large increases projected in older households, with the number of households headed by people aged 65 or over projected to increase by almost 60 per cent by 2035."

(CD)