The population continues to decline at a substantial rate. Proportionately Dundee has the highest emigration of all Scottish cities and there are more deaths than births. The projected increase of over 75's is particularly significant and the number of people over 90 is set to increase steadily. A large proportion of older people live alone in Dundee. Many of these will need social care services and their number is likely to grow.
Poverty indicators are all high.
There is a higher than average dependence on social security benefits and incomes are lower than average. The percentage of lone parents is higher than average, the teenage conception rate is twice the national average and more people are chronically sick. Reported crime is falling overall but figures for offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act continue to increase slightly. Local information in the criminal justice plan suggested that illicit drug use including solvents and alcohol was increasing amongst young people in Dundee. The social work service operates through a department of social work under a director who also discharges the responsibilities of the chief social work officer.