Income and economy: key points

  • Prosperity or lack of it has an important role in determining the health of individuals and populations. The process may also be two-way, with healthier populations contributing to stronger economic growth.
  • This is recognised both internationally and at a Scottish level, with many policies that aim to improve the economic prospects of the general population, families and individuals. These range from measures to grow the economy to those that aim to re-engage working age people not currently in employment in the labour market.
  • Levels of income and economic activity vary widely across Scotland. Adults in Glasgow are four times as likely as those in Shetland to say they don't manage well financially (16% against 4% ); while the proportion of working age people claiming Incapacity Benefits is more than twice as high in Glasgow City than in Edinburgh.

Section updates:

  • The last major update of this section was completed in March 2012.
  • The next major update is due to be carried out by end March 2013.