Exports statistics Scotland 2021

International service exports fell by more than manufacturing exports between 2019 and 2021

Scotland’s international exports of services valued an estimated £12.3 billion in 2021, accounting for over a third (39%) of the value of Scotland’s international exports.

The value of both service and manufacturing exports were lower in 2021 compared to 2019, but service exports (down 14.6%) experienced a larger decrease than manufacturing exports (down 10.5%).

While manufacturing exports experienced a 9.5% increase in 2021 compared to 2020, service exports remained relatively stable, with a similar value in 2020 and 2021.

Figure 13. Scotland’s international exports of services experienced less recovery between 2020 and 2021 than manufacturing exports

The estimated value of Scotland’s international exports by broad industry sector from 2019 to 2021. 'Other' includes ‘agriculture’, ‘forestry and fishing’, ‘mining and quarrying’, ‘utilities’ and ‘construction’

‘Professional, scientific and technical activities’ accounted for the largest proportion of Scotland’s international service exports in 2019, 2020 and 2021.​

The value of Scotland’s services exports to non-EU destinations dropped by nearly a quarter in 2020 and did not return to pre-pandemic levels (2019) in 2021. Service exports to the EU experienced a smaller decrease in 2020, only falling by 4.7%, but continued to fall in 2021.​

Exports of services to the rest of the UK experienced the smallest decrease in value of all the destinations between 2019 and 2021, falling by 3.0%. Although a large decrease was seen in 2020 (down £4.4 billion, 15.9%), this was followed by a 15.3% increase (up £3.6 billion) between 2020 and 2021.​

Figure 14. Following declines in 2020, exports of services to the rest of the UK increased in 2021, whereas international service exports remained broadly unchanged

The estimated value of exports of services (£ billions) by destination in 2019-2021.