OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Argyll and Bute

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

Argyll and Bute supports 35,985 workplace jobs with median earnings 8% below the England average.

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Population

87,690

↓ 1.0%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

35,985

Median Annual Earnings

£30,436

249th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£253,480

↑ 1.8%249th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£61,489

141st 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 87,690. Population has declined by 1.0% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (58.4%) is below the England average.

Population

87,690

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

58.4%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

13.9%

Over 65

27.7%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £30,436 are below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£30,436

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£9,885

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 33.7% (male median £39,022, female median £25,877). This is significantly above the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

33.7%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Agriculture, forestry & fishing (LQ 11.58) and Mining & quarrying (LQ 7.87). Arts, entertainment & recreation shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Human health & social work underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Accommodation & food service

Most Specialised

Agriculture, forestry & fishing

England: LQ 11.58

Fastest Growing

Arts, entertainment & recreation

Specialised Sectors

6

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Argyll and Bute vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £253,480 is below 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

£253,480

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 Argyll and Bute to Scotland and Great Britain averages.

Argyll and Bute's median earnings of £30,436 are 6% below the Scotland average of £32,365. House prices are 6% below the Scotland median. The claimant rate of 2.7% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£30,436

Scotland: £32,365(6% below)
GB: £32,401(6% below)

Median house price

£253,480

Scotland: £269,541(6% below)
GB: £269,841(6% below)

Claimant rate

2.7%

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

GVA per job

£61,489

Scotland: £61,363
GB: £61,125

Working-age population

58.4%

Scotland: 61.4%(3pp lower)
GB: 61.9%(3.5pp lower)

Population change (5yr)

-1.0%

Scotland: 4.0%(5pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(11.3pp lower)

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