Publication - Research and analysis

Rural Scotland Data Dashboard: Overview

Published: 21 December 2023
From: Director-General Net Zero
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate, +1 more … Environment and Forestry Directorate
Part of: Children and families, Communities and third sector, Cost of living crisis, +8 more … Economy, Education, Energy, Environment and climate change, Health and social care, Housing, Transport, Work and skills
ISBN: 9781835218204

This report accompanies the Rural Scotland Data Dashboard which presents data on a range of issues that impact rural Scotland. The report synthesises the data included in the dashboard into a broader picture of successes, challenges and trends in rural Scotland.

Supporting documents

Footnotes

1. Supporting documents - Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification 2020 - gov.scot

2. Defining the Rural Economy - Understanding the Scottish rural economy: research paper - gov.scot

3. Rural Scotland Key Facts 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

4. In 2011, the definition of islands was not the same as the definition used in the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 Search | Scotland’s Census (scotlandscensus.gov.uk). The 2011 definition includes islands located in fresh water bodies whilst the 2018 definition only includes islands surrounded on all sides by the sea.

5. 2023 Islands & Rural Insights Report from SRUC (nisrie.scot)

6. See: Understanding the Scottish rural economy: research paper - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

7. Regional economic activity by gross domestic product, UK - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

8. Scotland to become a net-zero society - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

9. See the Scottish Government’s 2023 policy prospectus and 2023-24 Programme for Government.

10. Scotland's Census 2022 - Rounded population estimates | Scotland's Census

11. Mid-2021 Small Area Population Estimates for 2011 Data Zones | National Records of Scotland

12. There are some areas with a high level of population growth, for example the Orkney Islands. See: NRS 2020 Population Projections for Scottish Areas (2018-based) | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk), compiled by RESAS classification of local authorities. This classification categorises local authorities according to their level of rurality and establishes four different groups.

13. Mid-2021 Small Area Population Estimates for 2011 Data Zones | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk)

14. Mid-2021 Small Area Population Estimates for 2011 Data Zones | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk)

15. Population Projections for Scottish Areas (2018-based) | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk)

16. 2023 Islands & Rural Insights Report from SRUC (nisrie.scot)

17. Regional gross value added (balanced) by industry A and BDE: Scottish Government (SG): Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) classification for the rural economy, 1998 to 2021 - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

18. Sub-Scotland Economic Statistics Database - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

19. Scotland's Labour Market: People, Places, and Regions - Statistics from the Annual Population Survey 2019 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

20. Scotland's Labour Market: People, Places and Regions – Protected Characteristics. Statistics from the Annual Population Survey 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

21. Scottish household survey 2019: annual report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

22. Supporting documents - Businesses in Scotland: 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

23. Business Panel | Highlands and Islands Enterprise | HIE

24. HIE Business Panel Surveys - 2023 | HIE

25. Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence levels: 2021/22 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

26. Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence levels: 2021/22 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

27. Health and Wellbeing Census Scotland 2021- 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

28. Summary statistics for follow-up leaver destinations, no. 5: 2023 edition (www.gov.scot)

29. Summary statistics for follow-up leaver destinations, no. 5: 2023 edition (www.gov.scot)

30. Foundation Apprenticeships (FA) offer school pupils the opportunity to gain a qualification (at SCQF 4-6) through a blend of academic and employer-led work-based learning.

31. Foundation Apprenticeships | Skills Development Scotland

32. The Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme provides people aged 16 and over the opportunity to secure industry-recognised qualifications while earning a wage.

33. Modern Apprenticeships | Skills Development Scotland

34. Annual Participation Measure | Skills Development Scotland

35. Rural Scotland Business Panel Survey October 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

36. It should be noted that there is an overall increasing trend in life expectancy at birth for both males and females in Scotland. See: Life Expectancy in Scotland, 2019-2021 | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk)

37. Healthy life expectancy is an estimate of lifetime spent in "very good" or "good" health, based on how individuals perceive their general health.

38. Scottish Household Survey 2021 - telephone survey: key findings - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

39. National Islands Plan Survey Final Report (www.gov.scot)

40. General Practice - GP Workforce and practice list sizes 2012 - 2022 - Public Health Scotland

41. Health and Wellbeing Census Scotland 2021- 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

42. Health and Wellbeing Census Scotland 2021- 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

43. Health and Care Experience Survey 2021/22: National Results - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

44. Health and Care Experience Survey 2021/22: National Results - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

45. Rural Scotland Key Facts 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

46. Regional gross value added (balanced) by industry A and BDE: Scottish Government (SG): Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) classification for the rural economy, 1998 to 2021 - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

47. Businesses in Scotland: 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

48. Scottish household survey 2019: annual report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

49. Rural Scotland Key Facts 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

50. Scottish Employer Skills Survey 2020 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) and UK Employer Skills Survey 2022 - Scotland Report

51. Scotland’s Labour Market: People, Places and Regions – background tables and charts 2020/21 (www.gov.scot)

52. Scottish Household Survey 2021 - telephone survey: key findings - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

53. The cost of remoteness - reflecting higher living costs in remote rural Scotland when measuring fuel poverty: research report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

54. The cost of remoteness - reflecting higher living costs in remote rural Scotland when measuring fuel poverty: research report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

55. Rural Scotland Key Facts 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

56. For the definition of fuel poverty, see: Supporting documents - Tackling fuel poverty in Scotland: a strategic approach - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

57. Fuel poverty rate estimates produced by the Scottish Government's Communities Analysis Division following Ofgem's energy price cap announcement in August 2023. Note: fuel poverty rates increased April to June 23 due to the removal of the universal £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme.

58. Scottish house condition survey: 2019 key findings - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

59. Scottish house condition survey: 2019 key findings - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

60. National Islands Plan Survey: final report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

61. Poverty and income inequality statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

62. Poverty and income inequality statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

63. Pupil census supplementary statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

64. Early learning and childcare - parents' views and use: survey findings 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

65. Social Security Scotland client diversity and equalities analysis to May 2021 (www.gov.scot)

66. Social Security Scotland client diversity and equalities analysis to May 2021 (www.gov.scot)

67. Bespoke data compiled from People on Universal Credit in July 2023, Department of Work and Pensions Stat-Xplore, and Working Age Population Estimates, National Records of Scotland 2021.

68. In Scotland as a whole, 3.3% of all dwellings are empty dwellings (5%) and 0.9% are second homes. See: Households and Dwellings in Scotland, 2021 | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk)

69. National Islands Plan Survey: final report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

70. Properties sold in rural areas are likely to have a different underlying profile of size and type. For example, houses are on average 38% larger in rural areas. See: Scottish House Condition Survey: 2021 Key Findings (www.gov.scot)

71. Property market report 2022-23 - Registers of Scotland (ros.gov.uk)

72. Housing statistics quarterly update: new housebuilding and affordable housing supply (www.gov.scot)

73. Rural Scotland Key Facts 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

74. The cost of remoteness - reflecting higher living costs in remote rural Scotland when measuring fuel poverty: research report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

75. Scottish household survey 2019: annual report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

76. Scottish household survey 2019: annual report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

77. Rural Scotland Key Facts 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

78. Scottish Household Survey 2021 - telephone survey: key findings (www.gov.scot)

79. Baseline data report - June 2022 - Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme | Transport Scotland

80. National Islands Plan Survey: final report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

81. Connected Nations 2022: Scotland report (ofcom.org.uk)

82. Note: Ofcom defines a rural area as having a population of 2,000 or less