TENS of thousands of European migrants in Glasgow are making a positive economic contribution the Scottish Government has said.

A new report shows there are 72,000 non UK migrants living in Glasgow, with 70% from outside the European Economic Area and 30% from within the EEA

The report found that those from the EEA are less likely than British born people in Scotland to claim out of work benefits.

It found the overall migrant population as mostly young, economically active and highly qualified.

Glasgow had more recent non EEA migrants than Edinburgh and Aberdeen, with 48% of the migrant population from other parts of the world recently arrived.

Another 22% non EEA were established in the population and 22% were EEA recent and 8% established EEA migrants.

Alasdair Allan Scottish Government, Minister for International Development and Europe said: “These statistics and the impact report confirm the long standing view of the Scottish Government that our migrant workforce make positive contributions to our economy and local communities.”

The report said that certain sectors of the economy public and private rely on migrant labour.

It found European migrants, particularly those who have moved to the UK in recent years, make a more positive contribution to the public purse.

They pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits and services, than migrants from outside Europe and people born in the UK.

Mr Allan added: “Many sectors of the Scottish economy are reliant on migrant labour, which helps meet demand for labour, and also address skills shortages.

“It is extremely important that we remain part of the European family, so that we can continue to have access to the European Single Market, and access to the free movement of people who may wish to live and work here.

“Our priority is to protect all of Scotland’s interests and we are considering all possible steps to ensure Scotland’s continuing relationship with the EU.”

Across Scotland there are 369,000 migrants from outside the UK and 460,000 migrants born in the rest of the UK.

Recent migrants were more likely than established migrants to be living the most deprived areas and living in private rented housing.

There are more migrants living in Edinburgh 75,700, than in Glasgow but there is a more even split of European and non-European 54% to 46%.

The migrant population was more likely to have a university education than indigenous Scots and other UK migrants.

Half of all non-UK migrants aged 16 and above (almost 164,000 people) had at least degree level qualifications.

This compares to just over a quarter (26%) of the population as a whole and 22% of people who were born in Scotland. They also reported a higher level of good health.