The Datum Report

Parliamentary constituency

Orkney and Shetland

What is distinctive here

These moved unusually against comparable areas, and did not simply move with them. A change shared with everywhere else is a fact about the country, not this place.

MeasurePeriodValueChangeAgainst peers
% of economically inactive retired Apr 2025-Mar 2026 24.2% -21 in the bottom 1% of 469
% who are economically inactive - aged 16-64 Apr 2025-Mar 2026 20.8% +4.9 in the top 3% of 632
Employment rate - aged 16-64 Apr 2025-Mar 2026 79.2% -4.9 in the bottom 5% of 632
% aged 16-64 who are self employed Apr 2025-Mar 2026 19.0% +4.3 in the top 2% of 629
25 percentile 2025 17.6 +2.1 in the top 2% of 632

By subject

Every figure published for Orkney and Shetland. Open a subject to see them, each with its history and its source. Where a producer splits the area into many categories, those sit behind a further disclosure.

Labour market 11
19.0%
0.710.821.02021-12-31: 4.82022-03-31: 4.32022-06-30: 4.42022-09-30: 8.32022-12-31: 8.22023-03-31: 9.92023-06-30: 11.12023-09-30: 9.72023-12-31: 6.22024-03-31: 6.62025-06-30: 2.72025-09-30: 162025-12-31: 14.72026-03-31: 19 2021-12 2026-03
14 monthly readings · 2.7 to 19 · axis starts at 0.7

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
5 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

Employment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
79.2%
70.080.891.52021-09-30: 72.12021-12-31: 73.32022-03-31: 75.32022-06-30: 75.42022-09-30: 79.22022-12-31: 81.42023-03-31: 84.62023-06-30: 86.52023-09-30: 89.42023-12-31: 86.22024-03-31: 842024-06-30: 83.92024-09-30: 78.52024-12-31: 84.62025-03-31: 83.82025-06-30: 87.32025-09-30: 89.42025-12-31: 84.12026-03-31: 79.2 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 72.1 to 89.4 · axis starts at 70.0

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
±14.1, basis not documented by the producer

Unemployment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
4.46.48.42021-09-30: 82021-12-31: 4.82022-03-31: 4.9 2021-09 2022-03
3 monthly readings · 4.8 to 8 · axis starts at 4.4

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
16 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

9.116.824.52021-09-30: 21.62021-12-31: 232022-03-31: 20.82022-06-30: 21.92022-09-30: 20.82022-12-31: 18.62023-03-31: 15.42023-06-30: 13.52023-09-30: 10.62023-12-31: 13.82024-03-31: 162024-06-30: 16.12024-09-30: 21.52024-12-31: 15.42025-03-31: 16.22025-06-30: 12.72025-09-30: 10.62025-12-31: 15.92026-03-31: 20.8 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 10.6 to 23 · axis starts at 9.1

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026

Claimant count
August 2026
385
3234626022021-09-30: 5602021-10-31: 5652021-11-30: 5552021-12-31: 5652022-01-31: 5302022-02-28: 5752022-03-31: 5502022-04-30: 5052022-05-31: 4902022-06-30: 4602022-07-31: 4402022-08-31: 4352022-09-30: 4202022-10-31: 4502022-11-30: 4452022-12-31: 4552023-01-31: 4552023-02-28: 4952023-03-31: 5002023-04-30: 4852023-05-31: 4502023-06-30: 4552023-07-31: 4252023-08-31: 4152023-09-30: 4202023-10-31: 4052023-11-30: 4052023-12-31: 4252024-01-31: 3952024-02-29: 4102024-03-31: 4302024-04-30: 4152024-05-31: 4402024-06-30: 4602024-07-31: 4752024-08-31: 4702024-09-30: 4752024-10-31: 4102024-11-30: 4002024-12-31: 4002025-01-31: 4102025-02-28: 4352025-03-31: 4052025-04-30: 3852025-05-31: 3902025-06-30: 3552025-07-31: 3502025-08-31: 3552025-09-30: 3552025-10-31: 3602025-11-30: 3902025-12-31: 4002026-01-31: 4052026-02-28: 4552026-03-31: 4502026-04-30: 4102026-05-31: 3852026-06-30: 3752026-07-31: 3752026-08-31: 385 2021-09 2026-08
60 monthly readings · 350 to 575 · axis starts at 323

ONS / DWP, Claimant count by sex and age, published 15 September 2026

1.21.72.22021-09-30: 22021-10-31: 2.12021-11-30: 22021-12-31: 2.12022-01-31: 22022-02-28: 2.12022-03-31: 22022-04-30: 1.92022-05-31: 1.82022-06-30: 1.72022-07-31: 1.62022-08-31: 1.62022-09-30: 1.62022-10-31: 1.72022-11-30: 1.62022-12-31: 1.72023-01-31: 1.72023-02-28: 1.92023-03-31: 1.92023-04-30: 1.82023-05-31: 1.72023-06-30: 1.72023-07-31: 1.62023-08-31: 1.62023-09-30: 1.62023-10-31: 1.52023-11-30: 1.52023-12-31: 1.62024-01-31: 1.52024-02-29: 1.52024-03-31: 1.62024-04-30: 1.52024-05-31: 1.62024-06-30: 1.72024-07-31: 1.82024-08-31: 1.82024-09-30: 1.82024-10-31: 1.52024-11-30: 1.52024-12-31: 1.52025-01-31: 1.52025-02-28: 1.62025-03-31: 1.52025-04-30: 1.42025-05-31: 1.52025-06-30: 1.32025-07-31: 1.32025-08-31: 1.32025-09-30: 1.32025-10-31: 1.32025-11-30: 1.52025-12-31: 1.52026-01-31: 1.52026-02-28: 1.72026-03-31: 1.72026-04-30: 1.52026-05-31: 1.42026-06-30: 1.42026-07-31: 1.42026-08-31: 1.4 2021-09 2026-08
60 monthly readings · 1.3 to 2.1 · axis starts at 1.2

ONS / DWP, Claimant count by sex and age, published 15 September 2026

% of economically inactive 5

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
19 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

18.919.019.22021-09-30: 18.92021-12-31: 19.2 2021-09 2021-12
2 monthly readings · 18.9 to 19.2 · axis starts at 18.9

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
17 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
18 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

24.2%
15.958.41012021-09-30: 24.12021-12-31: 28.82022-03-31: 42.32022-06-30: 49.22022-09-30: 55.12022-12-31: 58.62023-03-31: 62.42023-06-30: 51.22023-09-30: 41.42023-12-31: 44.32024-03-31: 47.22024-06-30: 47.82024-09-30: 55.92024-12-31: 92.62025-03-31: 88.12025-06-30: 71.22025-09-30: 60.32025-12-31: 44.82026-03-31: 24.2 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 24.1 to 92.6 · axis starts at 15.9

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026

25.332.439.52021-12-31: 27.82022-03-31: 38.12022-06-30: 34.32022-09-30: 33.12022-12-31: 26.7 2021-12 2022-12
5 monthly readings · 26.7 to 38.1 · axis starts at 25.3

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
14 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

Pay 2
11.220.028.810th10th · 2023-04-30: £14.0310th · 2024-04-30: £12.9110th · 2025-04-30: £14.0525th25th · 2023-04-30: £15.7925th · 2024-04-30: £15.4625th · 2025-04-30: £17.59MedianMedian · 2023-04-30: £21.58Median · 2024-04-30: £20.23Median · 2025-04-30: £21.5575th75th · 2023-04-30: £26.7175th · 2024-04-30: £24.7475th · 2025-04-30: £27.06 2023-04 2025-04
3 periods · 10th, 25th, Median, 75th · axis starts at 11.2
10th25thMedian75th90th
£14.05£17.59£21.55£27.06

ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings - resident analysis, published 3 November 2025
coefficient of variation 5.2%

11.720.028.210th10th · 2023-04-30: £14.1210th · 2024-04-30: £13.2910th · 2025-04-30: £14.0425th25th · 2023-04-30: £15.7725th · 2024-04-30: £15.9525th · 2025-04-30: £17.55MedianMedian · 2023-04-30: £21.21Median · 2024-04-30: £20.61Median · 2025-04-30: £21.3775th75th · 2023-04-30: £26.3575th · 2024-04-30: £25.0675th · 2025-04-30: £26.62 2023-04 2025-04
3 periods · 10th, 25th, Median, 75th · axis starts at 11.7
10th25thMedian75th90th
£14.04£17.55£21.37£26.62

ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings - workplace analysis, published 3 November 2025
coefficient of variation 5.3%

Business 11
Businesses
2025
3,070

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises, published 14 October 2025

3,710

ONS, UK Business Counts - local units, published 14 October 2025

Broken down further 88

One breakdown with many categories. These are never ranked against other areas: a comparison that pools thousands of rows into one peer set produces rankings that mean nothing.

MeasureLatestPeriod
01 : Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities 20 2024
02 : Forestry and logging 0 2024
03 : Fishing and aquaculture 1,250 2024
05 : Mining of coal and lignite 0 2024
06 : Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas 100 2024
07 : Mining of metal ores 0 2024
08 : Other mining and quarrying 45 2024
09 : Mining support service activities 0 2024
10 : Manufacture of food products 450 2024
11 : Manufacture of beverages 100 2024
12 : Manufacture of tobacco products 0 2024
13 : Manufacture of textiles 50 2024
14 : Manufacture of wearing apparel 50 2024
15 : Manufacture of leather and related products 0 2024
16 : Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture;manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials 35 2024
17 : Manufacture of paper and paper products 0 2024
18 : Printing and reproduction of recorded media 0 2024
19 : Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products 0 2024
20 : Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products 20 2024
21 : Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations 0 2024
22 : Manufacture of rubber and plastic products 40 2024
23 : Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products 5 2024
24 : Manufacture of basic metals 0 2024
25 : Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment 175 2024
26 : Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products 0 2024
27 : Manufacture of electrical equipment 10 2024
28 : Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. 50 2024
29 : Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers 0 2024
30 : Manufacture of other transport equipment 35 2024
31 : Manufacture of furniture 10 2024
32 : Other manufacturing 100 2024
33 : Repair and installation of machinery and equipment 350 2024
35 : Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 250 2024
36 : Water collection, treatment and supply 100 2024
37 : Sewerage 0 2024
38 : Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery 50 2024
39 : Remediation activities and other waste management services. This division includes the provision of remediation services, i.e. the cleanup of contaminated buildings and sites, soil, surface or ground water. 0 2024
41 : Construction of buildings 800 2024
42 : Civil engineering 350 2024
43 : Specialised construction activities 900 2024
45 : Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 300 2024
46 : Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 500 2024
47 : Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 2,000 2024
49 : Land transport and transport via pipelines 500 2024
50 : Water transport 350 2024
51 : Air transport 100 2024
52 : Warehousing and support activities for transportation 700 2024
53 : Postal and courier activities 175 2024
55 : Accommodation 600 2024
56 : Food and beverage service activities 1,000 2024
58 : Publishing activities 50 2024
59 : Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities 50 2024
60 : Programming and broadcasting activities 20 2024
61 : Telecommunications 45 2024
62 : Computer programming, consultancy and related activities 150 2024
63 : Information service activities 30 2024
64 : Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding 50 2024
65 : Insurance, reinsurance and pension funding, except compulsory social security 0 2024
66 : Activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance activities 25 2024
68 : Real estate activities 175 2024
69 : Legal and accounting activities 250 2024
70 : Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities 75 2024
71 : Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis 400 2024
72 : Scientific research and development 35 2024
73 : Advertising and market research 10 2024
74 : Other professional, scientific and technical activities 75 2024
75 : Veterinary activities 100 2024
77 : Rental and leasing activities 125 2024
78 : Employment activities 20 2024
79 : Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities 50 2024
80 : Security and investigation activities 100 2024
81 : Services to buildings and landscape activities 250 2024
82 : Office administrative, office support and other business support activities 75 2024
84 : Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 2,000 2024
85 : Education 2,000 2024
86 : Human health activities 2,500 2024
87 : Residential care activities 500 2024
88 : Social work activities without accommodation 900 2024
90 : Creative, arts and entertainment activities 25 2024
91 : Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities 500 2024
92 : Gambling and betting activities 10 2024
93 : Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities 500 2024
94 : Activities of membership organisations 400 2024
95 : Repair of computers and personal and household goods 20 2024
96 : Other personal service activities 200 2024
97 : Activities of households as employers of domestic personnel 0 2024
98 : Undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of private households for own use 0 2024
99 : Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies 0 2024
Skills 6
% with NVQ1+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
86.5%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±12.3, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ2+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
79.5%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±14.5, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ3+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
61.7%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±17.5, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ4+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
45.1%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±17.9, basis not documented by the producer