News story

August labour market statistics

Scotland’s employment has reached a record high.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Responding to today’s labour market statistics, published by the Office for National Statistics, Scottish Secretary David Mundell said:

“It is good news that Scotland’s employment has reached a record high. Unemployment is at a near historic low, at 3.9 per cent, which is a trend I hope to see continue. The UK Government will continue to work to strengthen Scotland’s economy, and I encourage the Scottish Government to continue to use their economic levers to increase Scotland’s prosperity.”

• Employment in Scotland increased by 30,000 over the quarter, and increased by 22,000 over the year to stand at 2,650,000.

• The Scottish employment rate increased over the quarter to stand at 75.2 per cent. The rate is now at a record high and is above the UK average of 75.1 per cent.

• Unemployment in Scotland fell by 12,000 over the quarter and is down 34,000 over the year. The level now stands at 107,000.

• At 3.9 per cent, the Scottish unemployment rate is below that for the UK as a whole.

• Economic Activity increased by 18,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,757,000. The Economic Activity rate increased over the quarter to stand at 78.2 per cent.

• In July 2017, the number of people out of work and claiming out-of-work benefit - Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Universal Credit (UC) - was 81,500, down 100 over the month. The claimant count level is now 3,900 higher compared to one year ago.

Updates to this page

Published 16 August 2017