The first in a series of white papers to be published in advance of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, Working Towards Achieving a More Balanced Population in Scotland provides a detailed examination of these issues and sets out practical recommendations across key policy areas to support a more sustainable and balanced population.

In the paper, key housing challenges in particular are outlined alongside recommendations for both the Scottish and UK governments.

The paper describes housing pressures across Scotland and market failure in depopulated regions, infrastructure lagging behind housing development in high demand areas, especially in education and transport, and the high prevalence of second and holiday homes in rural areas, reducing available housing stock.

Legislative changes, including the removal of local connection, have exacerbated homelessness pressures, the paper added.

Among its recommendations, COSLA has called on governments to:

• Rebalance housing development by recognising that population disparities are acknowledged in key housing and planning documents (e.g. NPF4) but this must be followed by evidence-based and appropriately funded actions and interventions.
• Embed infrastructure-first planning to ensure housing growth is supported by services.
• Regulate second homes and holiday lets through the exploration of legislative powers to restrict the sale of housing in particularly pressured areas for second homes and holiday homes.
• Better understand and adequately support the consequences of the changes to homelessness legislation, as outlined in COSLA Housing SIG medium to long-term actions.
• Leverage learning from Addressing Depopulation Action Plan (ADAP) council pilots to scale successful housing and other policy interventions from the pilots.
• Recognise the need for, and ensure action towards, increasing the overall supply of housing in line with need and demand by continuing to work through the national structures.

Launching the paper, COSLA described achieving population balance as a central priority for Scottish local government. With some areas experiencing rapid growth, others facing significant depopulation, and many managing both pressures simultaneously within their boundaries, the need for strategic intervention has never been greater.

COSLA Community Wellbeing spokesperson, Cllr Maureen Chalmers, said: “Achieving a more balanced population is a priority for Scottish local government and COSLA, and it is imperative that this remains a priority for the new Scottish Government administration following the election.

“Our white paper highlights the diverse population challenges faced by councils across Scotland, from those that are experiencing rapid population growth, to those facing critical depopulation, as well as the many dealing with both challenges within their council area. It proposes recommendations across three key priority areas: economy, workforce and jobs; housing; and transport.

“Scottish councils are best placed to lead population balance efforts but require support from both Scottish and UK Government to achieve our aims.

“We are calling on our national politicians to commit to working with us to implement the recommendations that we have set out today.”