Local Area Labour Markets in Scotland - Statistics from the Annual Population Survey 2011

Summary

People in work

Scotland Performs Cohesion Target

• Between 2010 and 2011, the gap in employment rates between the three local authorities with the highest employment rates and the three local authorities with the lowest employment rates decreased by 2.4 percentage points from 18.7 to 16.3 percentage points.

Scotland Performs Participation Target

• Between 2010 and 2011 the gap in employment rates between Scotland and the country with the 5th highest rate (Denmark in 2010 and now Sweden in 2011) increased from 3.7 percentage points in 2010 to 4.6 percentage points in 2011.
• There is considerable variation in employment rates across Scotland's local authorities. In 2011, employment rates varied from 61.0% in North Ayrshire to 81.3% in the Shetland Islands. This compares to an employment rate of 70.7% in Scotland based on Jan-Dec 2011 APS data.
• The majority of local authorities (21 in total) experienced a reduction in employment rates over the year, while all 32 local authorities saw reductions between 2008 (start of the recession) and 2011, reflecting the continuing challenging economic circumstances.
• Between 2010 and 2011 the male employment rate increased slightly from 74.8% to 75.1%, with increases in the rate being seen in 15 local authority areas, with the remaining local authorities seeing decreases. Over the same period, the female employment rate decreased slightly from 67.4% to 66.5%, with increases in the rate being seen in 10 local authority areas, with the remaining local authorities seeing decreases.
• The youth employment rate (16-24 year olds) in Scotland decreased by 1.0 percentage point over the year, from 55.6% in 2010 to 54.6% in 2011. A total of 15 local authorities saw a decrease in their youth employment rate over the same period whilst 15 saw an increase in their youth employment rate (including Edinburgh and Glasgow).
• In 2011 73.6% of people in employment were working full time, compared to 73.8% in 2010 and 76.2% in 2008. Over the year the percentage of people in full time work has decreased in 16 local authority areas and since 2008 has decreased in 27 local authorities.
• In 2011 there were 204,200 workers who were underemployed i.e. willing to work more hours (8.3% of all employed people over 16). Underemployment levels are highest amongst part-time female and full-time male workers.
• Although Glasgow had one of the lowest employment rates across all Scotland's local authorities (63.8%), its position over the year improved. Its employment rate increased by 1.7 percentage points (one of the highest increases in employment rate in Scotland) and its employment level increased by 9,100. This was driven by an increase in male employment levels, mainly within the private sector (up over 20,000). However, this was partially offset by a decrease in public sector employment, which mainly affected females (down by over 9,000).

People not in work

• Between 2010 and 2011 the proportion of 16 to 19 year olds estimated to be not in education, employment or training (NEET) decreased by 1.5 percentage points to 12.2% with the level reducing to 31,000.
• Between 2010 and 2011, the economic inactivity rate decreased in just under half (14) of Scotland's local authorities, one authority saw no change, while the remaining 17 authorities saw increases in their rate. The largest decreases were seen in Orkney Islands, West Dunbartonshire, City of Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders while largest increases were seen in Clackmannanshire, Shetland Islands and East Ayrshire.
• In 2011, there were 114,700 people in Scotland over the age of 16 (and not in full-time education) who had never worked, down 5% on 2010, and up almost 12% on the level in 2004 (102,800).