Equality evidence: data, analysis and guidance
The Scottish Government and its agencies collect, analyse and publish equality evidence across a wide range of policy areas.
Introduction
This page brings together a variety of resources and publications on equality evidence.
Equality Evidence Finder
The Equality Evidence Finder brings together the latest statistics and research for Scotland across different themes for age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and transgender status.
The Equality Evidence Finder is updated with summaries of the key official statistics and social research equality analysis produced by Scottish Government and its agencies. The finder also links to some equality datasets, statistics and research for Scotland produced by other organisations.
Equality Data Improvement Programme
The Equality Data Improvement Programme (EDIP) is focused on strengthening Scotland’s equality evidence base to support the development of inclusive policy that improves service delivery and outcomes for all people in Scotland. Key drivers of Scottish Government’s EDIP include:
- Equality Data Improvement Programme Board which oversees EDIP
- Equality Evidence Strategy 2023-2025 and 2024 interim review
- Equality Evidence Strategy 2017-2021 and 2019 interim report
An evaluation of the Scottish Government’s Equality Evidence Strategy 2023-2025 is due for publication in Summer 2026. This evaluation will provide an assessment of improvements to the equality evidence base and identify areas for improvement to take forward as part of the next Strategy.
The next Equality Evidence Strategy will continue to prioritise and support improvements to equality and intersectional evidence across Scottish Government. This Strategy will be developed collaboratively with the EDIP board, analysts, policymakers and external organisations interested in improving equality evidence. We expect a draft of the Strategy will be ready for consultation by late Winter 2026, with a view to publishing the final Strategy by Spring 2027.
Gathering Equality Data
Gathering evidence that helps us to understand the causes of inequalities and being able to assess whether policies are helping to tackle the inequalities is vital. Guidance notes on the recommended questions to ask when collecting information on: age, disability, ethnic group, gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation, and sex, gender, and trans status can be found below:
Equality Evidence Publications
The Scottish Government's Equality Analysis Team produces a range of publications on equality groups. The list of publications below is a non-exhaustive list of equality focussed publications produced by the Scottish Government and its agencies. A more comprehensive list of publications across various policy themes can be found in the Equality Evidence Finder under ‘Publications’.
Census 2022
The Equality Analysis Team has produced several reports using equality evidence from Scotland's Census 2022. For full Census results, including additional equality breakdowns, please visit Scotland's Census.
- Roma people in Scotland: an analysis of Scotland’s Census 2022
- Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland: an analysis of Scotland’s Census 2022
- Non-binary people in Scotland: an analysis of Scotland’s Census 2022
Discrimination and Harassment Statistics
Analysis of discrimination and harassment statistics from the Scottish Household Survey (SHS), including equality breakdowns. For full SHS results, please visit the SHS results page.
Evidence Reviews
The Equality Analysis Team has produced various evidence reviews on equality groups. This is a non-exhaustive list of equality focussed evidence reviews, and more can be found in the Equality Evidence Finder under various policy themes.
- Inequalities and challenges experienced by disabled people in Scotland: evidence review
- Minority ethnic women's experiences in Scotland 2024: intersectional evidence review
- Non-binary people's experiences in Scotland: evidence review
Gender Equality Index
Scotland’s Gender Equality Index measures progress towards gender equality in Scotland. Gender equality is measured across a range of indicators, covering Work, Money, Time, Knowledge, Power and Health. Additional indicators on Violence Against Women and Women-Specific Healthcare are also included.
Time Use Survey
Analysis of time use survey data by sex.
Equality Budgeting
- Scottish Budget 2024 to 2025: equality and fairer Scotland statement
- Equality and Fairer Scotland Budget statement: easy read summary
- Scottish Budget 2023-24: equality and Fairer Scotland statement
- Equality and Fairer Scotland Budget Statement 2022-2023
- Tackling inequality: guidance on making budget decisions
- Distributional analysis