In 2009, the population of Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross was 38,002, an increase of 2.9% since 2001. This compares to a 3.1% increase overall in the Highlands and Islands and a 2.5% increase in Scotland.
Unemployment in Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross is very seasonal and shows higher fluctuations than in the Highlands and Islands.
The recessionary impact in the area has been less marked than in Scotland, with a good tourism season in 2009 playing an important part in this.
Distribution, hotels and restaurants is the largest employment sector, accounting for 34% of jobs in 2008. This is followed by the female dominated public administration, education and health sector, which accounts for a further 30% of all employees in the area.
A larger proportion of workers (58%) were employed by companies with less than 25 employees in 2008 than in the Highlands and Islands (43%). This demonstrates the dominance of employment within small businesses in Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross.
Business start-ups in Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross are higher than average. There were 4.4 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 Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross than in Scotland by the end of both S4 and S6 and a higher proportion of school leavers progressed to Higher Education.
House prices have been rising in recent years. The median house price in Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross in 2008 was £123,250 compared to £117,750 in the Highlands and Islands and £114,500 in Scotland.
Further information on the economy of Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross is available in our area profile report.
