Labour productivity in Scotland increased by 1.1% between January and March this year, compared to the same period in 2018.
Labour productivity measures the amount of economic output tproduced, on average, by each unit of labour input, and is an important indicator of economic performance. Since 2007, there has been an average growth rate of around 1% each year.
According to figures published by Scotland's Chief Statistician Roger Halliday, growth in output per hour worked also grew by 0.4% in quarter one, up on the 0.2% growth recorded in the previous quarter.
There was also a rise of 0.5% in the total number of hours worked between quarter one in 2018 and quarter one in 2019.
Over the same period, UK labour productivity decreased by 0.2% compared with the same quarter in 2018. Output per hour also fell by 0.2% from same quarter a year ago, the third consecutive quarter of negative growth in output per hour in the UK.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay MSP said:
"These latest figures are further evidence of Scotland's strong economy, as output per hour worked has increased compared to the same quarter last year.
"This follows figures earlier this week which showed Scotland's employment rate remains close to the highest on record.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“It is clear that the SNP Government’s distinct economic policies are proving more effective than that of the UK Tory Government, given the divergent trends in productivity and output per hour.
“We have consistently pursued policies of investing in infrastructure; developing a skilled workforce; and fostering a competitive business environment, all of which are tangibly strengthening Scotland’s economy, in stark contrast to the years of Tory austerity which have led to a productivity crisis in the UK.”
ENDS
