Social environment: civic participation

Civic participation is a commonly used component of 'social capital' (or social cohesion/connectedness/support). This can be measured in a number of ways, for example by examining the extent to which people feel they are able to influence decisions in their local area. Chart 1 visualises data from Scottish Household Survey and shows that in 2022 approximately 18% of Scottish (a proportion that has changed very little in the past 10 years). However, this figure varied enormously across local authority areas, from around 9% in Na h-Eileanan Siar to 30% in the Shetland Islands.

One of the main ways that people can create change in their area is through voting. Chart 2 shows - by constituency - the voter turnout for the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary elections. Overall, in Scotland, just under two thirds (63%) of the electorate voted – this was up from 56% in 2016. Relatively deprived areas in Glasgow had the lowest percentage turnouts (between 51% and 54%), while the highest turnout was in the more affluent council areas of East Dunbartonshire (Strathkelvin and Bearsden: 72%) and East Renfrewshire (Eastwood: 76%).

The 2014 referendum on Scottish independence resulted in a much higher voter turnout (reflecting, many would argue, high levels of participation in the debate): this can be seen in Chart 3 which shows that the overall turnout was 85%, and although Glasgow had the lowest turnout, it was still relatively high at 75%.

Finally, Chart 4 shows long-term trends in voter turnout in Scotland as a whole, this time for UK (Westminster) Parliamentary elections (sources: 1945-2015: UK Political Info; 2017-2019: UK Parliament; 2024: UK Parliament). This shows a general downward trend from the post-war elections (c. 80%) to the late 1990s (c. 70%) and, especially, 2001 (58%), followed by increases in 2010 and 2015. Although turnout fell again in 2017 (to 66%), it increased slightly in 2019 (to 68%): Scotland was the only country in the UK where turnout increased, rather than fell, in that election. However, in 2024, voter turnout fell to 59%.

Please note: If you require the most up-to-date data available, please check the data sources directly as new data may have been published since these data pages were last updated. Although we endeavour to ensure that the data pages are kept up-to-date, there may be a time lag between new data being published and the relevant ScotPHO web pages being updated.