Export Statistics Scotland: methodology

Global Connections Survey: response rate

GCS 2022 and 2023 were conducted at the same time, and 10,382 businesses were invited to take part in the surveys. We removed 1,332 businesses because they had ceased trading, refused to take part, the survey wasn’t relevant to them, or the letter did not reach them, leaving 9,050 businesses. Of these, 1,237 businesses completed the survey for 2022 (14%) and 1,286 businesses completed the survey for 2023 (14%). 

In 2022, businesses in the Manufacture of rubber and plastic products, and other non-metallic mineral products sector had the highest response rate of 21%, and Manufacture of transport equipment saw the lowest response rate at 7%.

In 2023, the Manufacture of coke, refined petroleum and chemical products sector had the highest response rate of 22%, and Manufacture of transport equipment saw the lowest response rate at 7%. Full breakdowns of the response rates by sector are provided in the published tables. 

Please note that the GCS is only one of several sources used to produce the ESS export estimates. Where possible, estimates are supplemented with complete administrative sources of information for relevant sectors as described in later sections. Further, if a business responded to the GCS in a previous year, our methodology means we can use this to help estimate the value of exports for the latest year should a figure not be provided directly from the business.