GLASGOW'S population is predicted to rise steadily for at least the next decade.

GLASGOW'S population is predicted to rise steadily for at least the next decade.

In the early 1950s, more than one million people lived and worked in the city.

But by 2006, that figure had plunged to 580,000, with numbers falling 18,000 in just 10 years.

Experts blamed a combination of unemployment and a lack of family homes.

But agencies including the city council, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and the Chamber of Commerce have made a concerted effort in recent years to attract businesses and investment to the city, leading to more jobs, more homes - and finally more people.

New figures show the city has turned the corner, with the number of residents predicted to rise until 2026 and beyond.

Steve Inch, city council executive director of development and regeneration, says in a report on Glasgow's population and households that the number of people living in the city is expected to grow at around 1725 a year until 2016, when it should reach 598,000.

And he predicts that by 2026 it could soar to almost 625,000.

Mr Inch said: "The projected growth of Glasgow's population is a significant improvement relative to an estimated annual loss of 1800 in the previous 10 years.

"Between 2006 and 2016, the number of children in Glasgow is expected to increase by 4800, with further increases projected for 2016 to 2026.

"This represents a considerable change compared with the previous 10 years, when the number of children reduced by almost 20,000."

He is backed by a firm of city consultants employed to review the city's labour market.

They say: "The long-term decline in the city's population has been reversed and population is now starting to grow."

Experts believe the working age population will rise by around 13,800 in the next decade, with the number of pensioners likely to fall by 1400.

But they say that after 2016, the number of pensioners is likely to rise by 18,500.

Mr Inch added: "This is a considerable change compared with 1996 to 2006, when the number of pensioners reduced by more than 15,000."

He warns the city's growing population will raise a number of challenges for the council.

The higher number of residents will impact on services and there will be a need to attract new businesses to the city to provide more jobs.

There will also be a need for more housing and school places as a result of the forecast increase in nursery and primary age children.

Mr Inch said: "The projections highlight the gradual reversal in the downward population trend, towards a significant recovery by 2016 - which encouragingly is projected to be maintained beyond 2016."