Scottish migration and emigration 1861-1911

This research has estimated the volume of Scottish emigration and migration by decade between 1881 and 1911. It has used the published Census and Detailed Annual Reports, and a manuscript source (the Enumeration Books). These data sources have been analysed, the methodology for establishing mobility discussed and estimates of movement computed using SPSSx. Movement out of the county-of-birth has been defined as migration and out of Scotland as emigration. These two forms of mobility have been measured nationally by population category and also by county-of-birth. Emigration and migration have been compared with each other over time, and also with England and Wales. Population mobility in Scotland varied according to the demographic, economic and spatial characteristics of the county-of- birth. These features appeared to influence the native’s decision whether to migrate or emigrate, but the type of movement was also gender specific, males being more likely to emigrate and females to migrate. Moreover, although both males and females migrated at approximately the same ages, peak adult female emigration was markedly older than male. The young adult age-bands generally contained the highest proportions of losses, but the majority of current migrants and a sizeable proportion of emigrants were considerably younger. Both migration and emigration were estimated net of returns and both forms of mobility involved a considerable proportion of return movement. This made mobility appear to end at 29 years, and disguised the movement of older people. The international economic cycles were an important influence on the volume of emigration from Scotland. Nationally migration appeared to have an inverse relationship with emigration and this has been explored.

Advisor / supervisor