OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Scottish Borders

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

Scottish Borders supports 43,090 workplace jobs with median earnings 13% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 241st of 391 local authorities.

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Population

116,980

↑ 2.9%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

43,090

Median Annual Earnings

£28,796

314th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£239,822

↑ 1.8%314th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£59,262

241st 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 116,980. Population has grown by 2.9% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (57.4%) is below the England average.

Population

116,980

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

57.4%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

15.2%

Over 65

27.4%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £28,796 are below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£28,796

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£11,548

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 17.6% (male median £31,909, female median £26,287). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

17.6%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Agriculture, forestry & fishing (LQ 13.07) and Arts, entertainment & recreation (LQ 1.94). Construction shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Human health & social work underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Agriculture, forestry & fishing

England: LQ 13.07

Fastest Growing

Construction

Specialised Sectors

5

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Scottish Borders vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £239,822 is significantly 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

£239,822

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 Scottish Borders to Scotland and Great Britain averages.

Scottish Borders's median earnings of £28,796 are 11% below the Scotland average of £32,365. House prices are 11% below the Scotland median. The claimant rate of 2.9% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£28,796

Scotland: £32,365(11% below)
GB: £32,401(11% below)

Median house price

£239,822

Scotland: £269,541(11% below)
GB: £269,841(11% below)

Claimant rate

2.9%

Scotland: 2.8%
GB: 3.5%(0.6pp lower)

GVA per job

£59,262

Scotland: £61,363(3% below)
GB: £61,125(3% below)

Working-age population

57.4%

Scotland: 61.4%(4pp lower)
GB: 61.9%(4.5pp lower)

Population change (5yr)

2.9%

Scotland: 4.0%(1.1pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(7.4pp lower)

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