Agricultural Household Survey 2025 Report

7. Conclusions

Agricultural households differ notably from the wider Scottish population (2022 Census). They are less likely to be single‑adult households (21% compared to 37% for Scotland overall) and more likely to comprise two adults with no children (46% compared to 32% of the Scottish population). Reflecting this, respondents were also more likely to be married or in a civil partnership (71%, compared to 45% of the Scottish population). The share of households with children was broadly similar to the Scottish population. Active farmers were typically older and male—59% were aged 60+ and 68% were men, compared with 33% and 48% nationally. Differences across characteristics such as religion and sexuality likely stem from the older profile of the AHS population.

Around one in five active farmers reported a limiting health condition (19%) which is less than the Scottish population (28%). Mental health‑related conditions were more common among active farmers (18%) than non-active farmers (10%), yet they were no more likely to seek help (9% compared to 7% of non-active farmers); however, they were more likely to recommend RSABI (33% of active farmers compared to 15% of non-active farmers).

Participation in CPD was reported by 41%, rising to 44% among active farmers and 58% among respondents aged under 50. Skills gaps were widely recognised (58%), particularly among younger respondents (68% of respondents aged under 40 and 67% of respondents aged 40-49 compared to 55% of respondents aged 60 and over).

As farm size increases, the proportion of respondents who said there was non-farm diversified business taking place on their farm or croft also increases. Furthermore, farms and crofts who have non-farm diversified business activities were more likely to have a household income over £100,000 (15%) than farms and crofts that do not have any non-farm diversified business (9%).

Households with children were less likely to be low‑income and have incomes less than £30,000 (11% compared to 25% of households with no children). While most households with children could afford essentials like home contents insurance (86%) and replacing electrical goods (85%), many could not afford pension contributions (23%) or leisure activities (19%). Among low‑income households with children, 45% could not afford pension contributions, compared with 16% of higher‑income households with children.

Clear gendered patterns emerged in household roles. Women within opposite sex marriages were more likely to handle childcare (67%), household chores (66%) and caring responsibilities (56%), while men were more likely to be responsible for livestock care (54%) and other farm tasks (52%). Men typically led on financial decisions (51%), retirement (37%) and succession (39%), while women were more likely to be responsible for making decisions about managing children’s education (45%), household finances (41%) and healthcare (37%).

Despite this, support for gender equality was strong: 94% agreed men and women should have equal decision‑making rights, with female respondents more likely to strongly agree (73%) than male respondents (57%). Most respondents felt comfortable discussing opportunities for women and girls across their communities.