Economic inactivity and ill health in Scotland

Author: Hannah Randolph

PDF Published: Friday 26 Jul 2024 (24-38)

A bar chart showing the distribution of reasons for economic inactivity given by female and male survey respondents. Answers are distributed across six reasons: long-term sick, temporary sick, looking after family or home, student, retired, and other.

Image: Chart 1: Reasons for economic inactivity

A line chart showing rates of economic inactivity in Scotland and the rest of the UK from the first quarter of 2001 to the last quarter of 2023.

Image: Chart 2: Trends in economic inactivity

A line chart showing the percent of economic inactivity attributed to permanent ill health or disability for Scotland the rest of the UK from the first quarter of 2001 to the last quarter of 2023.

Image: Chart 3: Percent of inactivity attributed to permanent ill health or disability

Two line charts shown next to each other. The left-hand chart shows the correlation between having a long-term illness and being economically inactive for Scotland and the rest of the UK. The right-hand chart shows the correlation between having a health problem that limits activity and economic inactivity for Scotland and the rest of the UK. Both charts cover the period 2004-2023.

Image: Chart 4: Correlations between long-term illness or disability and economic inactivity

A map of Scottish local authorities showing rates of long-term limiting illnesses among adults over 16. Local authority areas are shaded, with darker colours indicating higher rates.

Image: Chart 5: Rates of long-term limiting illness in Scotland by local authority, 2018-2022

A map showing the distribution of employment gaps between those with long-term limiting illnesses and those without across Scottish health boards in 2021.

Image: Chart 6: Employment gaps by long-term limiting illness

Two side-by-side line charts showing the percent of inactivity attributed to permanent ill health or disability from the first quarter of 2001 to the last quarter of 2023. The lefthand chart shows rates for men by age group, and the righthand chart shows rates for women by age group. Age groups are defined as 16 to 24, 25 to 49 and 50 to 64.

Image: Chart 7: Percent of inactivity attributed to permanent ill health or disability by gender and age

A proportional area chart showing the distribution of educational attainment among those inactive due to permanent poor health or disability from the first quarter of 2001 to the last quarter of 2023. The attainment categories are defined as: degree or equivalent; higher education; GCSE A-level or equivalent; GCSE A*-C level or equivalent & other; or none.

Image: Chart 8: Educational attainment among those inactive due to permanent poor health or disability

A map of Scotland showing the percent of A&E attendances not meeting the statutory targets for wait times in January 2024. Health board areas are shaded, with darker colours indicating a higher rate.

Image: Chart 9: A&E wait times not meeting statutory targets

Fourteen line charts in a five-by-three grid showing how the percent of A&E attendances not meeting statutory targets changed from July 2007 to March 2024 in Scotland by health board.

Image: Chart 10: Percent of A&E attendances not meeting statutory targets, 2007-2024

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Last Updated: 24/8 5:08pm

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