Recruitment and Retention of Health Care Providers in Remote Rural areas
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DemographyDemographic trends have a clear impact on workforce planning and population health needs both through the overall changes in population size and in the age/gender composition. The 2010 population served by NHS Highland is 310830 and accounts for 5.9% of the total population for Scotland. 14.7% of the population are aged 16 to 29, lower than for Scotland at 18.7 %. The population aged 60 and over make up 26.1% of the population; higher than for Scotland, at 23.1%4. Overall, the Highland population has been rising since 1984 and is predicted to continue to rise. By 2033 the population is predicted to be 343348, an increase of 10%. The Scottish population as a whole in predicted to increase by 7.3% in the same time frame5. 
From the profile below it is apparent that the projected growth in population by 2033 will come predominantly from the 65+ age groups. There is also significant growth in the population surviving to 91 and older. 
Migration The main influence on population growth has been inward migration rather than an increase in births or reduction in deaths. In 2010 the net inflow of people was 1003 with the biggest movement of people occurring in the 16-29 age group at an average 1327/ year. However, the population of Argyll and Bute has fallen by 1.7% over the last 10 years6. Inward migration from Eastern Europe has accounted for substantial changes in the ethnic minority population in recent years. However, the ethnic minority population only accounts for 0.5% of the population. Life expectancy Life expectancy at birth in the Highland region for latest period is above the national average for both men and women. Women have a life expectancy of 81.5 years compared to men with 76.4 years7. However, men’s life expectancy in the region is improving more rapidly than women’s. On average, there are 3500 deaths in NHS highland each year. The commonest cause of death is heart disease and stroke (34%), cancers (28%), respiratory disease (11%) and dementia (6%)8. 
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