For the first time in Scotland’s history, a majority of people have declared themselves as having “no religion.” According to the latest census data released by the National Records of Scotland (NRS), 51.1% of respondents indicated no religious affiliation, a significant increase from 36.7% in 2011.
The NRS report highlights that “no religion” was the predominant response across almost every council area in Scotland, except for Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) and Inverclyde. In the Western Isles, the “Church of Scotland” remained the most common response, but the percentage of those with no religion rose from 11.4% in 2001 to 29.9% in 2022. Similarly, in Inverclyde, “Roman Catholic” was the most common response.
While the “Church of Scotland” still holds the largest share among religious groups, its numbers have steadily declined—from 42.4% in 2001 to 20.4% in the latest census. Other significant religious groups include “Roman Catholic” (13.3%), “Other Christian” (5.1%), and “Muslim” (2.2%).
Interestingly, census data from England and Wales shows a similar trend, while Northern Ireland witnessed an increase in the “no religion” category from 13.9% in 2001 to 17.4% in 2021.
Beyond religion, the census also revealed shifts in national identity and language skills. The percentage of people identifying solely as Scottish increased from 62.4% to 65.5%, while those identifying solely as British rose from 8.4% to 13.9%. Additionally, 2.5% of people aged three and over reported having some skills in Gaelic—an increase of 43,100 people since 2011.
In summary, Scotland’s changing demographics reflect a growing secular trend, with more people embracing a non-religious identity. The census provides valuable insights into the evolving cultural landscape of this vibrant nation.
