Government expenditure & revenue Scotland 2025-26

Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) is an Accredited Official Statistics publication. It estimates the revenue raised in Scotland and the cost of public services provided for Scotland.


Indicators at a glance Scotland 2025-26

Figure 1: Public sector fiscal balance as a % of GDP was -10.9 per cent, a 0.6 percentage point improvement over the year

Annual net fiscal balance 1998-99 to 2025-26, Percentage of GDP

The annual net fiscal balance as a percentage of GDP for Scotland, Scotland excluding North Sea revenue, and the UK from 1998-99 to 2025-26. All three series show a sharp deterioration in 2020-21 followed by recovery. In 2025-26, Scotland's net fiscal balance recovered slightly from 2024-25 to -10.9 per cent of GDP, compared with -12.9 per cent excluding North Sea revenue and -4.2 per cent for the UK.

The notional net fiscal balance is the difference between total revenue raised in Scotland compared with total expenditure on behalf of the people of Scotland. (Chapter 5 for table)

Figure 2: Total public sector revenue raised in Scotland was £98.3 billion an increase of £6.3 billion or 6.9 per cent

Total revenue raised in Scotland 1998-99 to 2025-26 (£ millions)

Total public sector revenue raised in Scotland between 1998-99 and 2025-26, alongside devolved revenues. Total revenue rises steadily over the period, reaching £98.3 billion in 2025-26, £6.3 billion more than 2024-25.

In the last year National Insurance contribution and Income tax showed the largest increases amongst non-North Sea taxes.

Figure 3: Total public sector spending for Scotland was £123.6 billion, an increase of £5.7 billion

Total expenditure 1998-99 to 2025-26 (£ millions)

Devolved expenditure, reserved expenditure and total public sector expenditure for Scotland from 1998-99 to 2025-26. Total expenditure rises throughout the period, reaching £123.6 billion in 2025-26. Both devolved and reserved spending increase over time, with total spending increasing particularly strongly after 2020-21.

Spending increased in the financial year, with the largest increases in total spend in the social protection and health categories

Total spending is used to calculate the Net fiscal balance

Note: FYE- Financial Year End

Contact

Email: economic.statistics@gov.scot

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