The number of households in Scotland has increased, according to new National Records of Scotland (NRS) figures.

In 2014, there were a total of 2.42 million households, an increase of 0.8% since 2013.

Tim Ellis, the Chief Executive of NRS, said: "The number of households in Scotland grows every year. The rate of growth was increasing in the lead up to the economic downturn, but since then, it has fallen.

"Between 2001 and 2007, there was an average increase of 20,200 households per year. Between 2008 and 2014, the average increase was lower, at 14,400 per year.

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"In 2014, for the second year in a row, the annual increase in the number of households appears to have grown. However, this is not just down to increases in house-building. Instead, there has been an apparent drop in the number of second homes and empty properties.

"This appears to be mainly because some empty properties and second homes have been reclassified, following recent Council Tax changes on empty properties."

According to the report, 'Estimates of Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2014', almost all council areas saw an increase in household numbers between 2013 and 2014.

However, Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire and Eilean Siar experienced slight reductions.

The overall number of dwellings (including vacant properties and second homes) rose in all council areas in 2014 except West Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde. Both of these areas had carried out demolitions as part of regeneration projects.

In Scotland as a whole, 2.9% of dwellings were vacant and 1.1% were second homes, with the latter concentrated in more rural areas.

(LM/MH)