This is the joint second lowest unemployment rate since the series began in 1992 (joint with May-Jul 2022, Nov-Jan 2023 and Jan-Mar 2023).

The unemployment rate for men aged 16+ fell over the quarter to 3.2 per cent, the joint second lowest since the series began (joint with Dec-Feb 2023).

The estimated employment rate (16-64 years) fell over the quarter to 74.6 per cent and the estimated inactivity rate (16-64 years) rose to 22.9 per cent over the same period.

Separate HMRC early estimates show 2.44 million payrolled employees in Scotland in May 2023, 56,000 more than in February 2020 (pre-pandemic) and the highest since the series began in July 2014.

Commenting on the figures, Neil Gray, wellbeing minister, said: ““The continued near-record unemployment rates for those aged 16 and over across Scotland and for men aged 16 and over are welcome. However, the economic outlook remains challenging, particularly with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting more people into work – including parents, disabled people and those with health and caring responsibilities – through employability and skills support, high-quality early learning and school age childcare provision, as well as improving access to flexible working.

“We are quickly taking forward the commitments made in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, including developing a lifetime skills offer for adults, which will ensure future support is targeted at those who need it most. These commitments also include the implementation of the action plans to ensure workers are equipped with the skills that employers will need in a green economy. Additionally, our strong apprenticeship programme is allowing employers to invest in their workforce.”

He added: “However, with certain industries still facing recruitment challenges, an urgent rethink of UK Government immigration policy is needed to enable increased access to the international labour and skills that Scotland needs for our economy and communities to flourish.

“With full powers over migration, Scotland could boost its workforce and tackle the recruitment challenges, many of which have been caused by the end of free movement and the hard Brexit imposed on Scotland by the UK Government.”