West Lothian: population and statistics
West Lothian has a population of 187,240 (2025) across 428.8 km², or 437 people per km². It ranks 132 of 361 local authorities by population. Its population is growing: +5.7% between 2015 and 2025.
- 187,240 residents
- 428.8 km²
- 437 people/km²
West Lothian in numbers
Population of West Lothian over time
West Lothian had 177,060 residents in 2015 and 187,240 in 2025.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 179,920 |
| 2021 | 180,850 |
| 2022 | 181,730 |
| 2023 | 184,250 |
| 2024 | 186,160 |
| 2025 | 187,240 |
All indicators for West Lothian
Value for the area, then the regional average and the UK median (for counts: regional and UK totals). The gauge places the area between the lowest and highest value in the UK.
Population
| Indicator | West Lothian | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of residents aged 65 and over (2025) | 18.4% | 21.0% | 20.4% | ranked 243 of 361 | |
| Share of residents aged under 16 (2025) | 18.1% | 15.8% | 17.4% | ranked 143 of 361 |
Housing
| Indicator | West Lothian | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average house price (2026) | £227,354 | £200,272 | £272,474 | ranked 236 of 360 | |
| House price change over 12 months (2026) | 2.3% | 3.0% | 2.2% | ranked 173 of 360 |
Economy
| Indicator | West Lothian | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business sites (local units) (2026) | 6,240 sites | 219,565 | 3,232,440 | ranked 201 of 361 | |
| Business sites per 1,000 residents (2026) | 33.3 per 1,000 | 39.6 per 1,000 | 44.4 per 1,000 | ranked 315 of 361 | |
| Registered businesses (enterprises) (2026) | 4,870 businesses | 176,000 | 2,786,975 | ranked 223 of 361 | |
| Median annual pay, full-time residents (gross) (2025) | £40,134 | £39,890 | £38,490 | ranked 134 of 348 |
Jobs
| Indicator | West Lothian | Scotland | UK | Position | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment rate, aged 16-64 (2025-2026) | 83.6% | 74.5% | 76.3% | ranked 27 of 347 | |
| Out-of-work benefit claimants, share of residents aged 16-64 (2026) | 2.7% | 3.2% | 3.2% | ranked 223 of 361 |
Key points
Among the 32 local authorities in Scotland, West Lothian ranks 10 by population.
Employment rate, aged 16-64: 83.6% in West Lothian, compared with an average of 74.5% in Scotland and 75.6% across the UK.
Business sites per 1,000 residents: 33.3 per 1,000 in West Lothian, compared with an average of 39.6 per 1,000 in Scotland and 46.5 per 1,000 across the UK.
Largest business sector: Wholesale and retail trade, with 19.3% of the area's business sites.
Did you know?
- Number 1 in Scotland for “Employment rate, aged 16-64”.
- “Employment rate, aged 16-64”: higher than in 92% of local authorities.
- Its area is roughly equal to 60,052 football pitches.
- The nearest local authority is City of Edinburgh, 19.5 km away.
- The nearest larger neighbour is City of Edinburgh (531,370 residents), 19 km away.
Business sectors: West Lothian
Share of each sector in total business sites; “×1.5” means the sector is 1.5 times more common than across the UK.
- Wholesale and retail trade19.3% ×1.2
- Construction12.3% ×1.0
- Professional, scientific and technical10.6% ×0.8
- Transport and storage8.4% ×2.0
- Administrative and support services8.4% ×1.0
- Accommodation and food services6.5% ×0.9
- Health and social work5.5% ×1.0
- Manufacturing5.2% ×1.2
Where is West Lothian?
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of West Lothian?
West Lothian has 187,240 residents (2025), ranking 132 of 361 local authorities.
How big is West Lothian?
West Lothian covers 428.8 km², with a density of 437 people per km².
Is the population of West Lothian growing?
Between 2015 and 2025, the population of West Lothian went from 177,060 to 187,240, a change of +5.7%.
Where is West Lothian?
West Lothian is in Scotland (region). Latitude 55.917, longitude −3.500.
Employment rate, aged 16-64: what is the figure for West Lothian?
In West Lothian, “Employment rate, aged 16-64” stands at 83.6% (2025-2026), ranking 27 of 347 local authorities; the UK median is 76.3%.
Business sites per 1,000 residents: what is the figure for West Lothian?
In West Lothian, “Business sites per 1,000 residents” stands at 33.3 per 1,000 (2026), ranking 315 of 361 local authorities; the UK median is 44.4 per 1,000.
Which local authorities border West Lothian?
The nearest to West Lothian are City of Edinburgh (19 km), Falkirk (20 km), Midlothian (27 km), North Lanarkshire (28 km), Clackmannanshire (32 km).