Greenock seeks to combat depopulation by attracting migrants

The town of Greenock and the wider Inverclyde area in Scotland are facing significant population decline, with the current population of 78,000 being 22,000 fewer than in 1981. Projections suggest a further 16% decrease over the next two decades.

To combat this trend, local authorities are implementing strategies to attract migrants and refugees to settle permanently in the region. This shift is already visible in the local economy, evidenced by the opening of new businesses such as the Anik African Store, which caters to a growing community of African residents.

Economic challenges remain a primary obstacle. Once a global hub for sugar processing and shipbuilding, the area has seen major industrial losses, including the 2016 closure of an IBM complex that previously employed over 5,000 people. Recent job losses at companies like Amazon and EE, along with layoffs at a local shipyard, continue to impact the region's stability.