Sign in Subscribe
Scotland

Unemployment in Scotland Falls by 3000 to 23-Year Low

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Unemployment in Scotland has decreased by 3000, reaching a 23-year low, as revealed by official figures. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Scotland dipped to 7.0% during the quarter to July-September, down from 7.2% in the previous quarter. This rate is the lowest since 1976. Additionally, Scotland's claimant count rate of unemployment, based on the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming benefit, fell to 5.2% - the lowest since 1976. The number of people in work reached a record 27.5 million, an increase of 329,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • The claimant count rate of unemployment in Scotland remained at its lowest for 23 years, at 5.2%, based on the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming benefit.
  • The ILO unemployment rate in Scotland fell by 0.2% to 7.0% during the quarter to July-September.
  • Scotland's claimant count rate of unemployment fell by 1,100 in October to 125,800, compared with a year earlier, claimant count unemployment was down 11,000.
  • The number of people aged 25 and over unemployed for more than two years fell by 1,900 to 12,000 over the year to October.
  • The number of 18-24-year-olds unemployed over six months fell by 4,500 over the year to October to 47,000.
  • The Labour Force Survey indicated the number of people in employment rose by 17,000 in July-September compared with the previous three months.
  • Employment was also up by 36,000 compared with the same period a year ago.

Statistics:

  • Seasonally adjusted International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployment figures in Scotland fell during the quarter to July-September to 175,000.
  • The ILO unemployment rate fell by 0.2% to 7.0% during the same period.
  • ILO unemployment was also 13,000 lower compared with one year earlier.
  • The number of people in work reached a record 27.5 million, an increase of 329,000.
  • Scotland's claimant count rate of unemployment fell by 1,100 in October to 125,800.
  • Monthly claimant count figures (not seasonally adjusted) for the New Deal groups showed that the number of 18-24-year-olds unemployed over six months fell by 4,500 over the year to October to 47,000.
  • The Labour Force Survey indicated the number of people in employment rose by 17,000 in July-September compared with the previous three months.

Sources:

  • Keith Sinclair, "aUNEMPLOYMENT in Scotland has fallen by 3000, with the claimant count rate remaining at its lowest for 23 years, according to official figures released yesterday"
  • International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployment figures
  • The Labour Force Survey

Read more