Caithness and Sutherland - economic profile

In 2009, the population of Caithness and Sutherland was 38,113, which is a decrease of 0.8% since 2001. This compares to a 3.1% increase overall in the Highlands and Islands and a 2.5% increase in Scotland.

Unemployment rates in Caithness and Sutherland are higher than in the Highlands and Islands. On the whole, the recessionary impact in the area appears to be similar to that in the Highlands and Islands, which is not as pronounced as in Scotland.

However, within the area, the Wick Travel to Work Area (TTWA) appears to be the most affected, while Thurso has been less affected.

The female dominated sector of public administration, education and health is the largest employment sector, accounting for a third of jobs in 2008. The energy, water and manufacturing and banking, finance and insurance sectors account for a higher proportion of employees than in the Highlands and Islands.

Many of the jobs in these two sectors are directly or indirectly related to the decommissioning activity at the Dounreay civil nuclear site.

Business start-ups in Caithness and Sutherland are higher than average. There were 4.6 new start-ups per 1,000 of the population in 2008 compared to 4.0 in the Highlands and Islands.

In 2007/08, educational attainment levels were higher in Caithness and Sutherland than in Scotland by the end of S4, but lower than average by the end of S6, while a high rate of school leavers went straight into employment compared with Scotland, and a low proportion into Higher Education.

House prices have been rising in the area in recent years, but at about half the rate, experienced in the Highlands and Islands. The median house price in Caithness and Sutherland in 2008 was £81,500 compared to £117,750 in the Highlands and Islands and £114,500 in Scotland.
 
Further information on the economy of Caithness and Sutherland is available in our area profile report.