Dundee could face more strain on its services after figures revealed a near 20% baby boom in the city.
Data from the National Records of Scotland showed that in the last year, the birth rate has shot up by 82 babies, from 387 to 469.
The figures have been revealed as other information shows Dundee’s population has increased by nearly 4,000 since the beginning of 2012 and is expected to rise by over 10,000 by 2024.
With many services already facing pressures due to demand, health and education figures have expressed fears over how they will cope under the increased strain.
Dr Andrew Cowie, of Hawkhill Medical Centre, said: “The biggest burden will be on midwifes and health visitors, but there will be an impact on GPs. Many have concerns over practice services and having enough doctors to work.”
Dr Cowie also said that although the growing birth rate can be a problem, it’s the growing elderly population that will cause the biggest burden.
Laurie Matthew, coordinator of city children’s charity 18 and Under, said that with more youngsters arriving, it was inevitable that services will be stretched further.
She said: “There are already problems with schools closing down and how our services handle the burdens they already have.
“I think that social services are also going to become more stretched, though this is a difficult one to judge.”
The figures come just weeks after a shake-up of city schools was announced, which will include the closure of Menzieshill High School with pupils attending Harris Academy instead.
The addition of more than 500 houses to Western Gateway on the city’s outskirts, with children from there set to attend Baldragon Academy, will also add to school rolls.
But education convener Stewart Hunter says he’s confident the council is prepared and believes that current proposals will deal with the demand.
Mr Hunter said: “We are confident that we can get class sizes within target and maintain that as the population grows.”
An NHS Tayside spokeswoman said: “We continually monitor the capacity of our service to meet demand and we are currently reviewing and updating our maternity strategy, which will outline our vision for the years ahead and take into account any future population projections and the related impact.”