Increase in people living alone

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The number of households in Scotland has increased by 6% in five years following a small rise in population and more people living alone.

The General Register of Scotland, which compiled the figures, said numbers of households have been rising steadily each year since 1991.

However, the organisation found the rate has slowed in the past year.

Highland has had the greatest rise in households in the last five years, followed by Aberdeenshire.

In Highland, the General Register of Scotland said the increase amounted to 8.5%.

The rate for Aberdeenshire was 8.3%.

HOUSEHOLD FACT FILE The number of households in Scotland has been increasing steadily, by between 11,000 and 23,000 each year since 1991 Over the last year, there has been an increase of 17,500 households (0.8 per cent)The rate of growth has slowed in the past year - between 2007 and 2008, the increase in the number of households was lower than in any other year for the last five years

In March, a survey suggested Aberdeenshire boasted the best quality of life among rural areas in Scotland.

The Bank of Scotland study found the area had above-average life expectancy, high rates of home ownership and well-performing schools.

The General Register for Scotland said 38% of dwellings in Scotland are now entitled to a council tax discount as there is only one adult living there either alone or with children.

There are more one-adult households in urban areas - 42% in large urban areas, compared to 29% in remote rural areas.

Scotland's rising population, which is at its highest level since 1981, has also had an impact.

The estimated population of Scotland was 5,168,500 in mid-2008, up 24,300 on the previous year.

The increase was slightly less than the year before, although births outstripped deaths by almost 4,000.

Duncan Macniven, Registrar General for Scotland, said: "The number of households in Scotland is still increasing.

"This is due partly to a small increase in population, but mainly to changes in household structure, with more people living alone.

"The rate of growth has slowed in the past year. Between 2007 and 2008, the number of households increased less than in any of the last five years."