Scotland’s economy grows 0.5% in 2019 Quarter 1

The Scottish economy grew by 0.5% during the first quarter of 2019, according to statistics announced today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

Change in gross domestic product (GDP) is the main indicator of economic growth in Scotland. The first estimate of Scotland’s GDP statistics, covering the period January to March 2019, shows that the economy grew by 0.5% in real terms compared to the previous quarter. Over the year compared to the first quarter of 2018, the Scottish economy has grown by 1.4%.

During the first quarter of 2019 output in the Construction sector grew by 2.0%, output in Production grew by 1.8% and output in the Services sector grew by 0.1%.

Two sub-sectors of manufacturing (Food & Drink and Pharmaceutical & related industries) account for more than half of the 0.5% growth of this quarter. Some surveys have linked this increase in manufacturing to stockpiling for Brexit.

The second estimate of Scotland’s GDP for 2019 Quarter 1 will be available in Quarterly National Accounts Scotland, published on 7 August 2019. The first estimate of Scotland’s GDP for 2019 Quarter 2 will be published on 18 September 2019.

Background

The 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.

Further information on GDP statistics  

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