Scottish Private Sector employment increases

17 Dec 2014 11:44 AM

A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Employment in the private sector in Scotland has increased by 3.7 per cent over the past year with over 2 million people employed in the private sector.

Public Sector Employment Statistics for Scotland, released today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician, show that over the year to Q3 2014, employment in the private sector in Scotland has increased by 72,900 to 2,048,500. This compares to a decrease in employment in the public sector in Scotland of 37,900 to 541,900 people.

In Q3 2014, public sector employment accounted for 20.9 per cent of total employment in the country; the lowest proportion of employment since records began. Private sector employment accounts for 79.1 per cent of total employment in Scotland; the highest proportion to date.

In Scotland, the devolved public sector saw an increase of 2,100 since Q3 2013 compared with a decrease of 40,000 in employment in the reserved public sector. The decrease in the reserved public sector was largely due to the National Accounts reclassifications of Lloyds Banking Group plc. in Q1 2014, as well as the reclassification of Royal Mail plc. and Direct Line Group plc. in Q4 2014 from reserved public corporations to the private sector.

The figures released today were produced by independent statistical staff free from any political interference, in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Notes To Editors

The full National Statistics publication can be accessed at: www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/01134

In addition to the National Statistics publication there is also a Public Sector Employment Statistics Websection containing: 

The data are not seasonally adjusted and therefore comparisons should only be made with the same quarter over time.

Devolved public bodies refer to public bodies which are the responsibility of the Scottish Government or Scottish Parliament. This includes the core Scottish Government and Agencies, Non-Ministerial Departments Local Authorities, Police and Fire Services, NHS, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, Public Corporations, Ombudsmen and Commissioners and other significant national bodies.

Further information on Labour Market statistics within Scotland can be accessed at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market

Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About