OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Shetland Islands

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

Shetland Islands supports 13,155 workplace jobs with median earnings 8% above the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 191st of 391 local authorities.

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Population

23,190

↑ 0.6%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

13,155

Median Annual Earnings

£35,716

88th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£297,453

↑ 1.8%88th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£60,285

191st 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 23,190. Population has grown by 0.6% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

23,190

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

60.3%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

17.3%

Over 65

22.4%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £35,716 are above the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£35,716

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

N/A

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Agriculture, forestry & fishing (LQ 18.20) and Mining & quarrying (LQ 7.54). Agriculture, forestry & fishing 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 18.20

Fastest Growing

Agriculture, forestry & fishing

Specialised Sectors

7

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Shetland Islands vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £297,453 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

£297,453

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 Shetland Islands to Scotland and Great Britain averages.

Shetland Islands's median earnings of £35,716 are 10% above the Scotland average of £32,365. House prices are 10% above the Scotland median. The claimant rate of 1.5% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£35,716

Scotland: £32,365(10% above)
GB: £32,401(10% above)

Median house price

£297,453

Scotland: £269,541(10% above)
GB: £269,841(10% above)

Claimant rate

1.5%

Scotland: 2.8%(1.3pp lower)
GB: 3.5%(2pp lower)

GVA per job

£60,285

Scotland: £61,363(2% below)
GB: £61,125

Working-age population

60.3%

Scotland: 61.4%(1.1pp lower)
GB: 61.9%(1.6pp lower)

Population change (5yr)

0.6%

Scotland: 4.0%(3.4pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(9.7pp lower)

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