SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

[Previous] [Contents] [Next]

Rural Scotland: A New Approach

Appendix 1 A Profile of Rural Scotland

Rural Scotland¹ is a significant component of the Scottish nation and accounts for 89% of Scotland's landmass, 29% of the population and 27% of employment. However, rural Scotland is not a single entity and considerable variation exists within, particularly between remote rural areas and those close to the central belt. The following provides an overview of the main features within and across rural areas.

Population

As a country Scotland has a sparse population - especially within the European context. Average EU population density is 1.1 people per hectare, almost double the Scottish average of 0.66. This sparsity is even greater in some remote communities. In 1998 the population of rural Scotland stood at 1.5 million people. Despite a stable total Scottish population through the 1990s, the rural population increased (Table 1).

A principal cause for these population trends is migration. In-migration to rural Scotland is particularly true of rural areas accessible to the central belt. This has been associated with demographic change as migrants are usually younger, highly educated and economically active.

Despite a general perception that the rural population is older than the national average, this is not borne out by the GROS population statistics. In 1998, 20% of the Scottish population were aged over 60 compared to 21% in rural Scotland. This similarity also applies to other age groups.

Recent GROS estimates (Table 2) project that the Scottish and rural population will stabilise over the next 15 years. Nevertheless, the diversity within rural Scotland will remain. The more remote unitary authorities are projected to see a decline in their population, whereas rural communities in the urban hinterland, such as Stirling, are projected to see an increase.

Table 1: Population and Population Density, 1998

Table 2: Population Projections

Employment

In 1997 there were 556,000 people employed in rural Scotland (27% of the Scottish total). Whilst this remained stable between 1991 and 1997, total Scottish employment fell 1%.

Table 3: Rural Employment - 1997

The pattern of rural employment is broadly similar to Scotland as a whole with service industries providing the main means (67%) of employment (Table 3). However, rural Scotland is more reliant on the primary sector and 12% of all rural employees are engaged in agriculture - three times the Scottish level.

Average Earnings

Average earnings in rural areas tend to be below the Scottish average (Table 4). This situation may again be explained by these areas' reliance on low value added industries such as agriculture.

In 1999 the average wage of a full-time manual male in agriculture, forestry and hunting was £278.90 _ 15% below the all industry and services average (£328.60). This compares to £356.20 in Manufacturing; £328.60 in Construction; £308.90 in Public Administration; and £225.20 in Hotels and Restaurants.

Table 4: Average Gross Weekly Earnings of Full Time Employees on Adult Rates 1999

Source: ONS - New Earnings Survey

Table 5: Unemployment in 1999

Unemployment

Generally unemployment rates in rural Scotland are below the Scottish average. However, there are sizeable variations between rural areas with some being significantly below and others being substantially above the averages (Table 5).

The small size of the local labour market in rural areas often means that an increase in unemployment will have a greater statistical effect. However, the seriousness of unemployment may also be magnified because the unemployed may have to look quite far afield for alternative employment.

Transport

Access to transport and individual mobility is a critical issue in rural areas. Given the limitations of public transport in many rural areas, having access to a car is vital and research has shown that 89% of households in rural Scotland have access to a car. However, this dependency on cars can place an extra burden on low income households. Limited personal mobility can also be a problem for particular types of people in rural areas - particularly the elderly, women, children and the disabled.

Housing

Housing Tenure: 61% of housing in rural areas is owner occupied and there is a smaller social rented sector (26%). This compares to 56% and 38% in urban areas. Since 1990, there has been an overall decline in both the private rented sector (15 to 13%) and the social rented sector (29 to 26%) - the latter primarily due to the high uptake of Right to Buy in rural areas.

Housing access and affordability: The low levels of social housing in rural areas means that provision is generally limited to those regarded as in "priority" need and research suggests that demand considerably exceeds supply. Pressures on the owner-occupied sector are associated with demands arising from those moving to live in rural areas, the improvement in the road network leading to the potential for more commuting, and to a lesser extent, from the demand for second and holiday homes. The effect of the steady levels of migration to rural Scotland has been to increase house prices, which coupled with the low wage levels of much rural employment, has served to exclude low income groups from the housing market.

Although the total repair bill is considerably less in rural areas (£412 million compared to £1,247 million in urban areas), the proportion of dwellings in poor condition is generally high: 1 in 8 dwellings experience dampness; 1 in 4 experience condensation; and 1 in 4 have poor energy ratings. A higher proportion of rural housing was built before 1919.

Service provision

People living in rural Scotland generally express high levels of satisfaction with services. A recent research project showed that one-third of a range of 33 different kinds of services achieved satisfaction rates of 90% or more including post offices; electricity and water supplies; ambulance and fire services and libraries. A further one third of services, including GPs, primary schools, police and trades services had satisfaction rates of between 80 and 89%. The research also showed that services with the lowest levels of satisfaction (satisfaction rates of less than 60%) and the highest priority of rural residents for improvement, include activities for teenagers and young children; out-of-school care; clothes shops; sports and leisure facilities; and road repairs.

Rural residents are realistic about the kinds of services they expect to be provided locally, although a small number of "core" services such as a shop, primary school, GP and community hall are seen as vital to maintain a vibrant community. For other services, rural residents are prepared to travel to access services located elsewhere. Car-sharing arrangements to access services are common both amongst those with no car and those without daytime access to a car.

Social Change and Quality of Life

Migration and Population Change: As already mentioned, most rural areas are experiencing population growth, although some more remote areas are not. 10 unitary authorities experienced population growth between 1991 and 1998; 4 authorities (Western Isles, Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway) lost population.

Crime: Although rural crime rates have been growing slowly in the last few years, rural crime rates are significantly lower than urban rates. Only 632 crimes for every 10,000 people occur in rural areas, compared to 1,638 in the four main cities.

Health: Levels of health are generally better in rural Scotland, although this tends to be counterbalanced by an older age structure with higher illness rates. 11% of people in households suffer from long-term illness compared to 14% in urban Scotland. Death rates, when standardised for age and sex, are also lower. Despite the production of high quality produce in rural areas, food and diet in rural areas, and the impact of this on health has been a focus of concern.

Key Groups in Rural Areas

Low Income Households: Research suggests that poverty is as widespread in rural Scotland as it is in urban areas. In 1996 20% of households in rural Scotland had incomes of below £108 per week, a similar figure to urban areas. In addition, there is a greater polarisation of income in rural areas - with more high and low income households. If rural residents themselves are asked about poverty or disadvantage, their subjective assessment of their needs is often at odds with objective definitions. Many that could be described as low income or experiencing exclusion do not acknowledge their need, or perceive themselves as being advantaged by their rural lifestyle rather than disadvantaged by it.

Elderly: A higher proportion of elderly people live in rural Scotland and the proportion of elderly in-migrants is increasing. In 1993 16.14% of the rural population was over 65, and 6.96% was over 75, compared to 15.09% and 6.29% in urban areas. Elderly people reliant on state pensions, or living in Below Tolerable Standard housing are particularly vulnerable, and research suggests that many elderly people in rural areas are reluctant to claim welfare benefits.

Children and Young People: Research suggests that families living in rural areas view rural communities as a very positive environment in which to raise young children. The limited opportunities available to teenagers and young people in rural areas are, however, a cause of concern, notably in relation to housing and employment options. Research suggests that low income young people (18-25 year olds), encounter considerable difficulties in accessing employment and finding affordable housing in rural areas, a trend that reinforces the pressure for young people to seek career development, and establish households, outwith the rural communities.

Footnote

¹The following analysis is based on unitary authorities being classed as rural if they have a population density of less than 1 person per hectare. On this basis the following council areas are classed as rural: Aberdeenshire; Angus; Argyll & Bute; Dumfries & Galloway; East Ayrshire; Highland; Moray; Orkney Islands; Perth & Kinross; Scottish Borders; Shetland Islands; South Ayrshire; Stirling and Western Isles.

[Previous] [Contents] [Next]