Internal (i.e. within UK) migration estimates are based on General Practitioner (GP) registrations and are considered reasonably accurate for most groups. They may be less accurate for some groups such as young men, as they tend not to register with a GP immediately on moving.

International migration estimates are based largely on the IPS. However the number of migrant contacts for Scotland is very small and there is a significant degree of uncertainty surrounding the estimates, due to the size of the sample.

The statistics are designed to be consistent, and incorporate comparable historical data where appropriate.

The internal and international migration estimates are comparable with those from the rest of the UK. The United Nations (UN) definition of an international migrant (someone that changes country of residence for 12 months or more) is used and so international migration estimates should be comparable with other countries.

It is the policy of the National Records of Scotland to make its website and products accessible according to published guidelines. More information is available in the Accessibility section of the NRS website.

Migration is a key component of population change, so these estimates have a wide range of users including National and Local Government, health service providers, the third sector and commercial organisations.

The two main contributors to population change are natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration (the difference between long-term moves into and out of Scotland or local areas). More information about the methodology and quality, including strengths and weaknesses, of the estimates published in this release is available in the notes and definitions section of this document and more detailed information in the Mid-year Estimates for Scotland Methodology Guide[(The two main contributors to population change are natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration (the difference between long-term moves into and out of Scotland or local areas). More information about the methodology and quality, including strengths and weaknesses, of the estimates published in this release is available in the notes and definitions section of this document and more detailed information in the Mid-year Estimates for Scotland Methodology Guide. The two main contributors to population change are natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration (the difference between long-term moves into and out of Scotland or local areas). More information about the methodology and quality, including strengths and weaknesses, of the estimates published in this release is available in the notes and definitions section of this document and more detailed information in the Mid-year Estimates for Scotland Methodology Guide.

Revisions and corrections to previously published statistics are dealt with in accordance with the Scottish Government Statistician Group corporate policy statement on revisions and corrections - a copy of which is available on the Scottish Government website.

The mid-year population estimates for 2002 to 2010 were revised following the 2011 Census and were published in December 2013. Overseas and total net migration was revised for Scotland, NHS Board and Council areas.

The mid-year population estimates for 2012 to 2014 were corrected following an error in the age distribution of migrants uncovered in 2015. Overseas, rest of UK and within Scotland migration figures were corrected for Scotland, NHS Board and Council areas.