Scottish Economic Bulletin - August 2026

Provides a summary of latest key economic statistics, forecasts and analysis on the Scottish economy.


Data and Forecasts Summary

Outturn Data

Indicator

Latest Data

Next Release

Dec 2025

Jan 2026

Feb 2026

Mar 2026

Apr 2026

May 2026

Jun 2026

Jul 2026

GDP growth (3-month rolling %)

0.6% (May)

26 August

0.0

-0.1

-0.1

0.1

0.2

0.6

n/a

n/a

Unemployment rate (%)

4.7% (Mar - May)

18 August

3.9

4.1

4.2

4.4

4.4

4.7

n/a

n/a

Real Earnings growth (YoY %)

2.1% (June)

19 August

1.1

1.7

1.2

1.2

2.5

2.4

2.1

n/a

Inflation rate (CPI YoY %)

2.6% (June)

19 August

3.4

3.0

3.0

3.3

2.8

2.8

2.6

n/a

BoE Base Rate (%)

3.75% (July)

17 September

3.75

3.75

3.75

3.75

3.75

3.75

3.75

3.75

Consumer Sentiment (Index)

-8.2 (June)

26 August

-9.6

-5.9

-4.6

-15.4

-16.7

-13.0

-8.2

n/a

Forecasts

Indicator

Organsiation

Date of Forecast

2026

2027

2028

2029

2030

GDP growth (YoY %)

SFC

January 2026

1.3

1.3

1.5

1.5

1.5

Unemployment rate (%)

SFC

January 2026

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.1

Nominal Average Earnings growth (YoY %)

SFC

January 2026

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.8

2.8

Inflation rate (4Q rate in Q4)

BoE

July 2026

3.2

2.1

1.9

n/a

n/a

Contact

Email: economic.statistics@gov.scot

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