More people are moving to live in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire than ever before, according to a new report.

The findings, published by National Records Scotland (NRS), show that Renfrewshire’s population increased by 0.5 per cent on the previous year, while East Renfrewshire’s went up by 1 per cent – the third highest rise in the country, behind only Midlothian and City of Edinburgh.

The statistics relate to the most recent mid-year population estimates, with the latest reported samples taken from June 2017.

That means the number of people living in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire now stands at 176,830 and 94,760 respectively.

Both councils are slightly ahead of the trend across the country as a whole, which saw just a 0.4 per cent rise.

The NRS report also shows the population bump has come as a result of greater migration from overseas, and the rest of the UK, to Scotland.

In both regions, the levels of in-migration far outweighed those going out.

Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur, whose constituency encompasses both council areas, described the population increases as evidence that Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire are proving to be attractive places for people to move to.He said: “These population statistics are “great news.” for Renfrewshire South.

He said: “With an ageing population, it is vitally important that we have a growing population to continue building Scotland’s economy.

“The increase of working-age migrants is also warmly welcomed and shows my constituency is a positive destination for many.”

The boom is not expected to let up, with both council areas projected to have a further increase in the next decade.

NRS predicts that Renfrewshire will have nearly 4,000 more people by 2026, with East Renfrewshire’s population growing by just over 7,000 in the same time period.

In contrast, one-third of the country experienced a significant decrease in population, with the report suggesting the underlying effects of Brexit are influencing people’s movements ahead of the UK’s scheduled date for leaving the EU in March 2019.

Mr Arthur added: “To continue our population growth, we need continued inward migration.”