Scottish Agricultural Census: June 2019

The majority of working farm occupiers are older than 55

• Agricultural workforce 67,100

Total workforce in agriculture is estimated to be around 67,100 workers. Although this estimate may not include some family members who also provide some labour.

The majority of the workforce are owner-occupiers, made up of people who own or rent the farm and work on it. Males represent 61 per cent of working farm occupiers, and 39 per cent are females.

Farm occupiers are getting increasingly older. In June 2019, a combined 63 per cent of farm occupiers were older than 55, and 34 per cent of farm occupiers were older than 64. Male occupiers were older than female occupiers: 66 per cent of male occupiers were older than 55, compared to 59 per cent of females.