Introduction
Welcome to the comprehensive performance report for the councils within the region of Scotland. This analysis delves into various metrics to evaluate the business environment across different councils, focusing on employment, industry growth, and economic contributions within the year 2022. The aim is to provide stakeholders with insightful data to understand regional dynamics and foster informed decision-making.
Population and Employment Overview
The region of Scotland, with its diverse councils, shows a varied distribution of population and employment rates. Here, we present a detailed table ranking each council by the number of employees adjusted for population size, providing a clearer picture of employment density across the region.
| Council Name | Number of Employees | Population | Employees per 1000 Residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Edinburgh | 374483 | 514990 | 727 |
| Glasgow City | 355256 | 622820 | 570 |
| Aberdeen City | 206762 | 224190 | 922 |
| North Lanarkshire | 78778 | 340930 | 231 |
| Fife | 64374 | 371340 | 173 |
| Perth and Kinross | 73962 | 151120 | 489 |
| South Lanarkshire | 60886 | 327430 | 186 |
| Renfrewshire | 67048 | 184340 | 364 |
| Highland | 62273 | 235710 | 264 |
| Aberdeenshire | 68415 | 263750 | 259 |
| West Lothian | 43046 | 181720 | 237 |
| Dundee City | 35248 | 148350 | 238 |
| Falkirk | 35359 | 158450 | 223 |
| Angus | 16849 | 114660 | 147 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 25033 | 145770 | 172 |
| Argyll and Bute | 14037 | 87920 | 160 |
| East Ayrshire | 17894 | 120390 | 149 |
| Midlothian | 21092 | 97030 | 217 |
| East Lothian | 21647 | 112450 | 192 |
| South Ayrshire | 21683 | 111560 | 194 |
| Stirling | 41680 | 92530 | 450 |
| Clackmannanshire | 7495 | 51750 | 145 |
| East Dunbartonshire | 11336 | 108980 | 104 |
| East Renfrewshire | 13267 | 97160 | 137 |
| North Ayrshire | 14796 | 133490 | 111 |
| Inverclyde | 12600 | 78340 | 161 |
| Scottish Borders | 23237 | 116820 | 199 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 11525 | 88270 | 131 |
| Moray | 26077 | 94280 | 277 |
| Na h-Eileanan Siar | 3928 | 26120 | 150 |
| Orkney Islands | 3236 | 22020 | 147 |
| Shetland Islands | 5079 | 23020 | 221 |
Business Dynamics
The business landscape across the Scottish councils is quite diverse, with a significant variance in the number of companies and new business formations. For instance, Glasgow City and the City of Edinburgh not only have the highest number of total companies but also show robust figures in new company formations. In contrast, smaller councils like Orkney Islands and Na h-Eileanan Siar, despite their smaller populations, show a commendable entrepreneurial spirit with new businesses being established.
Sector Analysis
The sectoral distribution highlights key industries driving the regional economy. Professional, scientific, and technical services dominate in several councils, including Aberdeen City and the City of Edinburgh, indicating a strong inclination towards high-skilled sectors. Meanwhile, sectors like construction and retail trade are more pronounced in councils such as North Lanarkshire and West Lothian, reflecting a diverse economic base.
Scaleups and Growth
Scaleup activity, indicative of growing enterprises that contribute significantly to economic outputs, shows variability across the region. Edinburgh leads with the highest number of scaleups, closely followed by Glasgow. This is in stark contrast to smaller regions like the Shetland Islands, where scaleup activity is minimal, reflecting the challenges of scaling businesses in less populated areas.
International and Export Dynamics
Exporting is a critical component of economic strength, and councils like Aberdeen City and Glasgow City lead in this domain, likely due to their larger economic infrastructure and business networks. Conversely, councils with smaller populations such as the Orkney Islands have fewer exporters, which may be attributed to the logistical challenges and limited market access inherent to remote areas.
Investment and Innovation
Fundraising activities are a good indicator of a vibrant economic environment and investor confidence. In 2022, Edinburgh and Glasgow were notable for their fundraising efforts, aligning with their status as economic hubs. Patent ownership is also notably high in these areas, underscoring a strong focus on innovation.
Conclusion and Recommendations
This report has traversed through various dimensions of economic performance across the Scottish councils, revealing both strengths and areas for improvement. For future growth, it is recommended that councils focus on nurturing scaleups, enhancing support for exporting businesses, and fostering innovation through increased investment in technology and research.
By addressing these areas, Scotland can not only enhance its economic landscape but also ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness on a global scale.