East Ayrshire
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
East Ayrshire supports 40,410 workplace jobs with median earnings broadly in line with the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 327th of 391 local authorities.
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 121,480. Population has declined by 0.8% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.
Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026
Earnings & Income
Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.
Median annual earnings of £33,117 are in line with the England median of £33,080.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 29.6% (male median £36,929, female median £25,992).
Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026
Industry Structure
Location quotients and shift-share analysis for East Ayrshire's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Agriculture, forestry & fishing (LQ 4.41) and Public administration & defence (LQ 2.19). Construction shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Administrative & support services underperforms its national sectoral trend.
Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026
Housing & Property Market
Estimated house prices for East Ayrshire vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £275,808 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.
Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026
Benchmark to national figures
Comparing East Ayrshire to Scotland and Great Britain averages.
East Ayrshire's median earnings of £33,117 are in line with the Scotland average. The claimant rate of 3.7% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.
Country averages computed from local authority-level data (Scotland: 32 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.