Today's Guardian reports on how, uniquely in Europe, Scotland has a declining population.

The 2002 census reveals the number of people living north of the border has fallen by two per cent since 1981.

"We think this is a serious problem," said Matthew Farrow of CBI Scotland.

"A dwindling population reduces the tax base and puts pressure on public services. A smaller population makes it harder to grow businesses and if Scotland does not retain its reputation as a vibrant place to live it will make it harder to get people to come and live and to keep the people who are born here."