Scotland had 2,558,800 people in employment in 2014, the highest since comparable records began in 2004.

The Local Area Labour Markets in Scotland publication released today reflects the trend of increasing employment numbers seen in the monthly ONS Labour Market Statistics.

The figures demonstrate that increases in female employment over the last two years have been a key driver in the record high employment level in Scotland in 2014 and also show:

• 21,000 16 to 19 year olds not in education, employment or training in 2014, the lowest number since comparable records began in 2004
• A more qualified workforce than ever before with the proportion of workers aged 16 to 64 with Higher Education qualifications at 47.1 per cent
• The number of workers aged 16 to 64 with no qualifications also decreased by 5,000 over the year to 139,500, the lowest seen since comparable records began in 2004
• The number of workers underemployed – workers who wanted to work more hours than they are currently employed to do – decreased by 20,200 over the year to 216,500.

Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham said:

“This is a remarkable set of figures that demonstrates that the work the Scottish Government is doing to improve employability and get more people into work is making a real difference to the lives of Scots around the country.

“The recent monthly ONS Labour Market Statistics have also consistently told us that we are seeing improvements in youth and women’s employment and today’s publication captures these changes very well indeed. A decrease in underemployment also shows that people are not just finding jobs, they are finding the jobs that work for them, which is incredibly important too.

“While today’s publication is very positive for Scotland as a whole, there are obviously areas where further work is needed. The most recent quarterly figures also showed a small rise in the number of people actively looking for work and yet to find a job.

“Much of that change seems to have been caused by people – mostly women – becoming economically active, in other words looking for work, whereas previously they weren’t. And while this suggests re-entering the labour market is becoming a more attractive prospect for more people which is good news, it of course underlines the fact there is absolutely no room for complacency when it comes to continuing our drive to create high quality jobs across the country.

“We will continue to use all the levers at our disposal to help even more people into work and drive the economy forward.”