AN independent Scotland might attract a higher number of international migrants, experts have suggested.

The level of people moving between Scotland and the rest of the UK is likely to stay largely the same regardless of the outcome of the independence referendum, according to the ESRC Centre for Population Change. Their research looked at how migration to and from Scotland might change following a Yes vote.

The paper said: "A majority of experts believe that if Scotland becomes independent, migration from the rest of the United Kingdom will slightly decrease, but flows in the opposite direction will remain quite similar to the current ones.

"An independent Scotland might attract a higher number of international migrants and, to a lesser extent, generate a higher number of emigrants."

The 2011 Census reported Scotland's population at 5.2 million, the highest ever recorded. About 7% (369,000 people) reported a country of birth outside the UK, an increase of three percentage points compared with 2001.

Poland was the most common non-UK country of birth of residents in Scotland, followed by India and Ireland.