Aberdeenshire

Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.

Aberdeenshire supports 101,745 workplace jobs with median earnings broadly in line with the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 11th of 391 local authorities.

Population

265,080

5.4%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

101,745

Median Annual Earnings

£33,799

128th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£281,488

1.8%128th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£70,569

11th of 391

England: £63,763

Source: ONS, Nomis, HM Land Registry, 2024-2025·Last updated March 2026

Demographics & Population

Mid-year population estimates (2024) and Census 2021 age profile.

Mid-year population estimate of 265,080. Population has grown by 5.4% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

265,080

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

59.9%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

17.9%

Over 65

22.1%

Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £33,799 are in line with the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£33,799

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,852

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 36.4% (male median £43,212, female median £27,484). This is significantly above the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

36.4%

England: 28.2%

Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026

Industry Structure

Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Aberdeenshire's economy.

The most specialised sectors are Mining & quarrying (LQ 50.12) and Agriculture, forestry & fishing (LQ 10.54). Wholesale & retail trade shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Mining & quarrying underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Wholesale & retail trade

Most Specialised

Mining & quarrying

England: LQ 50.12

Fastest Growing

Wholesale & retail trade

Specialised Sectors

4

England: LQ > 1.25

Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Aberdeenshire vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £281,488 is in line with the England median of £290,000. The price-to-earnings ratio is 8.3x. Prices have risen 1.8% over the past year.

Median Price

£281,488

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

12-Month Change

1.8%

Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026

Benchmark to national figures

Comparing Aberdeenshire to Scotland and Great Britain averages.

Aberdeenshire's median earnings of £33,799 are in line with the Scotland average. The claimant rate of 2.0% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£33,799

Scotland: £32,365(4% above)
GB: £32,401(4% above)

Median house price

£281,488

Scotland: £269,541(4% above)
GB: £269,841(4% above)

Claimant rate

2.0%

Scotland: 2.8%(0.8pp lower)
GB: 3.5%(1.5pp lower)

GVA per job

£70,569

Scotland: £61,363(15% above)
GB: £61,125(15% above)

Working-age population

59.9%

Scotland: 61.4%(1.5pp lower)
GB: 61.9%(2pp lower)

Population change (5yr)

5.4%

Scotland: 4.0%(1.4pp higher)
GB: 10.3%(4.9pp lower)

Country averages computed from local authority-level data (Scotland: 32 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.