Economy contracts 0.3% in the second quarter of 2019

The Chief Statistician has released gross domestic product (GDP) statistics showing that the economy in Scotland contracted by 0.3% during the second quarter of 2019, covering the period April to June.

Change in GDP is the main indicator of economic growth. Over the year compared to the second quarter of 2018, the economy has grown by 0.7%.

During the second quarter output in the construction sector contracted by 2.2%, output in production contracted by 1.1%, and output in the services sector grew by 0.1%.

Two sub-sectors of manufacturing (food and drink, pharmaceutical and related industries) account for more than half of the 0.3% contraction of this quarter. Manufacturing output in these sectors fell back after a strong first quarter.

Background

Full statistical publication and data.

All results are seasonally adjusted and presented in real terms (adjusted to remove inflation). GDP growth in this publication relates to Scotland’s onshore economy, which means it does not include the output of offshore oil and gas extraction.

The second estimate of GDP for the second quarter of 2019 will be available in Quarterly National Accounts Scotland, published on 30 October 2019. The first estimate of GDP for the third quarter of 2019 will be published on 18 December 2019.

Further information on GDP statistics.

These estimates are compiled in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics.