LIFE is about to get a little less crowded in some Renfrewshire towns and villages as they experience a drop in population, a new report has revealed.

The surprising fall in projected population over the next decade is contrary to the national trend, with the number of people living in Scotland as a whole expected to increase.

Latest figures published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) also show that Renfrewshire’s population is gradually getting older.

Out of 11 council wards in Renfrewshire, six are expected to have fewer people living in them by 2026.

A drop of 419 is forecast for the Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch ward, with an estimated population of 13,546 in a decade’s time.

In Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank, the drop is expected to be 1,070, to a new total of 10,357.

And the new figure of 15,350 for Erskine and Inchinnan represents a fall of 1,535.

The population of Houston, Crosslee and Linwood is expected to shrink by 939 to 15,756.

Further drops of 1,847 and 99 respectively are forecast for Paisley South West and Paisley East and Ralston.

However, population increases are predicted for Johnstone South, Elderslie and Howwood, Paisley North West, Paisley South, Renfrew South and Gallowhill and Renfrew North.

Renfrewshire as a whole is expected to see its population rise from its current level of 174,709 to a new total of of 176,038 by 2026.

A NRS spokesman said: “All wards except Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, Paisley North West and Renfrew North are projected to experience more deaths than births over this period.

“And six of the 11 wards are projected to experience positive net migration. This includes migration from other areas in Scotland, from the rest of the UK and overseas.”

Overall, Scotland’s population is projected to rise from 5.4 million in 2016 to 5.58 million by 2026.