Scottish Household Survey 2018

High satisfaction with childcare and a sharp increase in concern about climate change are two of the key findings in this year’s Scottish Household Survey.

Of households with a child aged two to five, 86% said they are either very or fairly satisfied with the overall quality of funded early learning and childcare they received.

Meanwhile, concern about climate change has soared to a record high. Almost two thirds of adults viewed climate change as an immediate and urgent problem. The greatest increase in concern is among adults aged 16-24, rising from 38% in 2013 to 67% in 2018.

Scotland’s communities and housing also fared well in the survey. Findings include:

• nine in ten households are very or fairly satisfied with their housing
• more than 8 out of 10 people who have used their local schools or health service are satisfied with them
• the number of households managing well financially has risen from 42% to 55% in the 19 years to 2018
• home ownership among young people aged 16- 34 has increased since 2014
• internet access in homes is high, and continuing to increase, and the gap in connectivity is narrowing between lower and higher income households
• 83% of adults living in Scotland believe their neighbourhood is one where people are kind to each other

Responding to the findings, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

“The Scottish Household Survey is a unique opportunity for people to share their views and experiences and help the government understand how people feel about life in Scotland.

“This survey shows that parents are ready to benefit from the Scottish Government’s £2 billion investment in the expansion of early learning and childcare, with the increase in flexibility and choice that this will bring, including options like year-round provision. We know the transformative impact that a high quality, nurturing, early learning and childcare experience can have, and from August 2020 children will be able to access almost twice as many funded hours.

“We want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up, and that means that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should be given the opportunity to realise their full potential so it is great to see parents are satisfied with their early learning and childcare.

“I am pleased to see the positive trend in the number of households managing well financially in recent years and that the majority are happy with their housing and neighbourhoods. It was also interesting to see those who use our local services report to be more satisfied than non-users.   

“The gap in home internet access is also decreasing and work is ongoing to ensure this continues so that all citizens can benefit from the advantages access to the internet brings.

“Climate change remains a concern and people are clearly worried about the negative impacts it will have. It is one of the Scottish Government’s top priorities and this year’s Programme for Government committed Scotland to lead the way in tackling this global emergency.”

Background

Scottish Household Survey 2018 Annual report 

Scottish Household Survey 2018 Key Findings report 

All childcare data presented is from households with children aged two- to five-years-old who have not yet started school.

The Scottish Household Survey is the largest social survey of people across Scotland, giving them an opportunity to provide information to government on their experiences, views, attitudes and behaviours.  The survey has run since the outset of devolution in 1999.  It provides robust data on a wide range of different topics, including housing, neighbourhoods, sport and physical activity, internet use/digital engagement, views on local services, culture, the environment, and volunteering, at both national and local authority level.