We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Publication - Statistics

Public Sector Employment in Scotland Statistics for 2nd Quarter 2022

Published
13 September 2022
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector, Work and skills
ISBN
9781804359099

Statistics based on administrative records and surveys of individual public sector bodies carried out by the Scottish Government and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is a snapshot of employment as at June 2022.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Summary

Summary Infographic summary of private, public, devolved public and reserved public headcount and annual percentage change

Key points (based on headcount data) include:

  • In June 2022, there were 594,700 people employed in the public sector in Scotland, accounting for 22.1% of total employment.[1]
  • In June 2022, employment in the public sector was 11,410 (2.0%) more than in June 2021.
  • When major reclassifications are excluded, the public sector increased between June 2021 and June 2022 by around 11,000 (2.0%).[2]
  • Of the total 594,700 people employed in the public sector in Scotland, 539,600 (90.7%) were employed in the devolved public sector in June 2022. This was 12,060 (2.3%) more than in June 2021.
  • Between June 2021 and June 2022, employment in the devolved public sector increased by:
    • 5,240 (2.0%) in Local Government
    • 5,030 (22.2%) in the devolved Civil Service
    • 1,820 (1.0%) in the NHS
    • 400 (2.6%) in Other Public Bodies
    • 280 (2.1%) in Public Corporations
  • Employment in the devolved public sector had decreased by:
    • 670 (-2.4%) in Police and Fire Related Services
    • 50 (-0.4%) in Further Education Colleges
  • In June 2022, there were 55,100 people employed in the Reserved Public Sector in Scotland. This was 640 (-1.2%) less than in June 2021. The Reserved Public Sector accounts for 9.3% of total public sector employment.
  • Between June 2021 and June 2022, employment within the Reserved Public Sector decreased in the reserved Civil Service by -1,010 (-4.0%). Employment increased in Armed Forces by 330 (3.3%), and in Other Public Sector[3] by 40 (0.2%).

Contact

Email: LMStats@gov.scot

Back to top