Growth and development.pdf

1. Profile at 2002With a population of 350,400 Fife has the third highest population of all Scottish local authorities.Numbers of children are expected to fall by 2016, as is the proportion of working age population,but numbers of older people are set to increase at a faster than average rate.At 5.1% (January 2002) the unemployment rate is above that of the Scottish average. The ratehas increased since 2000.Fife has a lower than average rate of problem drug misuse (1.5% of 15-54 year olds).The crime rate is below average (788 crimes recorded per 10,000 population in 2001).Community planning encompasses all the major public, private and voluntary agencies in Fife.The development of strategic partnerships and the assumption of responsibility for cross-cuttingissues underpin the community plan.Social Work is part of the Adult and Children Sector in Fife Council, alongside Education,Housing and Community Services. Social work has its own head of service, who is also chiefsocial work officer.403020Expected % change in population, 2000-2016,local and national comparisons by age bandPercent100-10-20-30Under 5 5-14 15-29 30-44 45-59 60-74 75+AgeScotlandFife127