Scottish employment levels reach record high

Scotland’s Chief Statistician published statistics on Regional Employment Patterns in Scotland from the Annual Population Survey (APS) showing employment levels in Scotland during January to December 2015 reached a record high 2,575,500, driven by continued increases in female employment.

Employment rates for women increased to 70.2 per cent, the highest since comparable records began, the data showed.

The gender employment gap in Scotland was 6.0 percentage points, 4.0 percentage points lower than the UK and the lowest since comparable records began.

Full-time employment levels for women increased to 727,500, the highest level since comparable records began.

Youth employment rates increased in 21 local authority areas over the year as overall youth employment rate in Scotland increased by 3.0 percentage points to 56.2 per cent.

The youth unemployment rate in Scotland decreased by 2.7 percentage points over the year to 14.3 per cent in 2015.

The number of 16-19 year olds who were NEET in 2015 increased by 3,000 over the year to 23,000.

Trends in Scotland’s labour market are monitored monthly using the quarterly LFS. Monthly briefings based on secondary analysis of this data are available from the Scottish Government website.

As the quarterly LFS has a smaller sample size it cannot be used to monitor trends below Scotland-level so the APS remains the best source for local area labour market trends.

Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown, welcomed the statistics, but emphasised there was “much work to do” to create and protect jobs in light of challenging economic conditions.

Mr Brown said: “In 2015 we saw a continued strengthening of the Scottish Labour Market with more people getting into work and employment levels reaching a record high over the year. It was a particularly successful year for women’s employment with the employment rate for women at the highest level since records began.

“In Scotland, the gender employment gap is now at its lowest ever level and below that of the UK, but we know it remains a persistent problem and I will take forward work to ensure that we can end the gender pay and employment gaps as soon as possible.

“We are also seeing encouraging progress with more young people finding work across most of Scotland, with the youth employment rate increasing by three percentage points last year.

“Within the first 100 days of this Scottish Government we will build on the progress we have made with a new Labour market strategy to focus our efforts and target a further reduction in youth unemployment.

“The Scottish economy has a number of fundamental strengths that will be crucial for the future. Increased inward investment, combined with a resilient labour market and talented workforce, is positive news for our jobs market and our economy as whole.”