Unemployment rises slightly in Scotland in last quarter

Unemployment in Scotland rose slightly in the last quarter, according to the latest figures.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows the unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over was 3.9% between November 2025 and January this year.

There were 109,000 people aged 16 and over out of work in Scotland in the latest quarter, according to the figures.

The employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 was 74.8%, which was 0.1% down on the previous quarter.

The figures show about 2,673 million people aged 16 and over were in employment in Scotland in the last quarter.

Scottish Government analysis of HMRC early estimates found there were 2.45 million payrolled employees in Scotland in February 2026.

This was down 5,000 payrolled employees since February 2025.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Scotland’s unemployment rate remains lower than the UK despite extremely challenging economic conditions, which I am concerned will get worse given the global instability we are seeing.

“It is, however, encouraging that the number of payrolled employees remains relatively high, at 2.45 million in February 2026.

“With our limited powers we are trying to protect our economy from this global instability, by supporting business and investment in Scotland and getting people into work.

“It is welcome that the First Minister has just announced 2,000 new jobs in the south of Scotland and we will aim to ensure that people are protected from the cost-of-living crisis, with the Scottish Government announcing £5.4 million for those who use heating oil.”