Scotland's employment rate has reached a new high and is the highest of the nations of the UK, new figures have revealed.
The latest update from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that over the period October to December 2022, 2,742,000 people aged 16 to 64 were in work – up by 37,000 on the previous quarter and 89,000 up on the same period in 2021.
The employment rate for the quarter rose to 76.6%, up from the 76.1% in the previous quarter which was the previous record level since the labour force survey series began in 1992.
Today's figure was above the 75.6% recorded for the UK as a whole, and is the highest of the UK's four nations. The unemployment rate in Scotland was 3.3%, lower than the 3.7% recorded for the UK as a whole.
The figures showed 93,000 Scots were unemployed over the quarter – some 5,000 lower than the previous quarter and 19,000 less than the same period in 2021.
Employment minister Richard Lochhead said high employment rates for women are “particularly welcome”.
He said: “The employment rate in Scotland remains high despite the turbulent economic circumstances including the continued impact of Brexit, high inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
“The record high employment rate for all 16 to 64-year-olds and the joint record high employment rates for women are particularly welcome.
“The Scottish Government’s ambitious plans for Scotland’s economy set out in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation are built on ensuring everyone can thrive in a diverse and inclusive workforce.
“Our refreshed Fair Work Action Plan published in December 2022 also brings together a number of strategies which demonstrate the Government’s commitment to fair work outcomes for everyone.”
However, the minister also said that “despite the high employment rate, certain sectors still face recruitment challenges”.
“The Scottish Government is doing all it can to work with businesses and organisations to alleviate them,” he said.
“The UK Government holds key powers over migration, visas and key parts of employment law, and I repeat my calls for UK ministers to establish a joint taskforce on labour market shortages.”
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