Scotland saw the biggest rise in foreign immigrants last year than at any other time in recent history, pushing the population to a record high, new figures suggest.
An estimated 42,300 people, including asylum seekers, came to Scotland from overseas in the year to June last year.
The latest mid-year population estimates from the General Register Office for Scotland also suggest that 16,900 people left Scotland to go overseas.
The net increase of 25,400 immigrants is the highest since estimates began in 1991-92.
Net gain from the rest of the UK was less than that from overseas.
Over the year, 43,700 people came to Scotland from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 40,800 left Scotland to go in the opposite direction.
The net gain of 2,900 is lower than the previous year's 3,300 gain because fewer people came to Scotland.
Coupled with the second largest natural increase in modern times, with births outstripping deaths by 4,800, the immigrants have pushed Scotland's population to a record high.
The estimated population of Scotland on June 30 2011 was 5,254,800, a rise of 32,700 on the previous year.
Last year's rise outstrips the 24,000 annual increase the Scottish council of economic advisers recommended to meet Scotland's population growth target.
