FEATURE: Multicultural Edinburgh

Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
May 4, 2009

THE colourful mayhem of the Fringe, the best choice of restaurants in the UK outside London and some of the world's greatest research talents breaking new grounds for medicine.

The cosmopolitan nature of Edinburgh has long been one of the Capital's greatest strengths, with the people who the city attracts from around the world constantly adding to the quality of life and boosting the economy.

New arrivals in the city have been making their mark for years, everywhere from curry house kitchens to the laboratories of Edinburgh University.

The population of the city has changed dramatically over the years, with Scots having been in a minority for several years now.

But new statistics from the General Register of Scotland show that, far from these changes slowing down, they are continuing apace. Edinburgh is in fact getting more cosmopolitan by the day.

The GRO study of population trends offers a fascinating snapshot of the changing face of the city's population.

It shows existing residents leaving the city in their droves, with growing numbers driven by Edinburgh's house prices to commute from Fife and the Lothians.

Their shoes - and homes - are increasingly being filled by a flood of new arrivals from England and overseas.

The GRO report shows a fall of more than 2000 in the established Edinburgh population. The most popular destinations for those leaving were England and overseas, with the overwhelming majority of those staying in Scotland moving out to the commuter belt of the Lothians and Fife.

East Lothian - which has the fastest growing population in Scotland - was the most popular destination for those leaving the city to live nearby.

At the same time, almost 4500 more people moved into Edinburgh from outside Scotland than left.

Ron Hewitt, chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, says the cost of living in the Capital is forcing many existing residents - both Scots-born and more recent arrivals - to move to towns with more affordable housing.

"Edinburgh has a strong pattern of continual population growth, but its growth is fast being eclipsed by areas like East Lothian and Midlothian.

"Many people moving out of Edinburgh are doing so because housing is more affordable, and there are a greater proportion of family houses for people who don't want to live in the city any more.

"There are presently around 80,000 people commuting into Edinburgh every day - with 20,000 living in the city who commute out - and for them, the greatest costs they will face will be travelling to work."

While Edinburgh remains the most likely destination for people moving out of East, Mid and West Lothian, twice as many people moved out of Edinburgh into the Lothians than moved in.

The Capital, though, remains the top draw for people moving into Scotland, attracting substantially more new arrivals than Glasgow.

While the rising number of immigrants - including large but now declining numbers of Poles - has helped provide the backbone of the city's economy, it does not come without its challenges.

NHS Lothian has had to deal with the biggest population increase anywhere in Scotland, with the vast majority down to new arrivals in the region, mainly from overseas.

The bill for translators in Lothian hospitals and clinics, for instance, has soared by GBP 400,000 in five years to more than GBP 500,000.

The economic downturn and the crashing exchange rate has meant Edinburgh is now a less profitable place to work and less attractive for those scouring maps of Europe to choose somewhere to live and work.

This, however, does not necessarily mean Edinburgh is in line for a mass exodus.

"Population change is as much about the push factor as the pull factor," says Edinburgh University sociologist Ross Bond. "Edinburgh's financial sector is in trouble, but it might turn out that the economic situation isn't much better in other cities and countries, meaning Edinburgh is still a more attractive option.

"Edinburgh's population has always been more fluid than other parts of Scotland. About 12 per cent were born in England, compared to about four per cent in Glasgow, and the extent to which that may change or otherwise depends on how the economy develops throughout the UK and in other parts of Europe.

"While migration from Eastern Europe looks set to slow down dramatically, we won't necessarily see a massive drop in the number of people living in Edinburgh from overseas. It's not that simple.

"The recession is hitting everywhere, including places like Poland, and there will still be people who want to stay in Edinburgh, so it would be wrong to deduce we're going to see a mass migration of people back to Eastern Europe."

Council leader Jenny Dawe is confident that the city's strength will continue to attract new arrivals through the economic downturn.

"Edinburgh is a great place to live, work and study, due to its high quality of life, which is borne out by the accolades and awards we regularly receive," she says.

"Edinburgh has excellent transport links; boasts a range of recreational and cultural offerings; and supports a diverse and cosmopolitan population. With four universities and a broad range of employment opportunities, Edinburgh attracts people from all quarters."