Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 162): 27 August 2026
Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) weighted Scotland data up to survey period 3 August to 16 August 2026 (Wave 162). The BICS provides statistics on how current conditions are affecting businesses in Scotland, including impact on financial performance, workforce, trade and resilience.
Business Performance
In August 2026 businesses were asked how they expect their business’s overall performance to change over the next 12 months.
Figure 5: In August 2026, 27.7% of businesses expected their business performance to increase over the next year and 9.8% expected it to decrease.
Estimated share of businesses by expected business performance over the next 12 months. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Applicable waves 55 (19 April to 1 May 2022) to 162 (3 August to 16 August 2026).
Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 162 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 5 data see table ‘BusinessPerformanceExpect’.
Note that those answering ‘Not sure’ are not included in the chart.
Contact
For enquiries about this publication please contact:
Marina Curran
Business & Innovation Statistics
Office of the Chief Economic Adviser
email: industrystatistics@gov.scot
For general enquiries about Scottish Government statistics please contact:
Office of the Chief Statistician
email: statistics.enquiries@gov.scot