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Economy

• Worth £84bn in 2006 (around 8% of the total UK economy), the Scottish economy is forecast to grow at an annual average rate of 2.4% between 2008 and 2012.
• As a sector, financial and business services has a smaller proportion of the economy in Scotland than it does in across the UK as a whole. However, within Scotland it is forecast to expand by 5.1% per year to 2012.
• The manufacturing sector is expected to experience subdued growth over the forecast period, growing at only 1.2% per year between 2008 and 2012.

Output

• Worth an estimated £7.1bn in 2007, in 2000 prices, construction in Scotland accounts for around 8% of the UK total.
• Output is forecast to grow at an annual average rate of 1.2% between 2008 and 2012.
• Infrastructure is likely to be the driving force behind growth between 2008 and 2012 despite the cancellation of the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link.

Employment

• Total construction employment of 212,400 in 2006 in Scotland is forecast to rise by 17% to 248,070 by 2012.
• To meet this demand, after taking account of those entering and leaving the industry, Scotland requires an extra 6,320 workers each year.
• Wood trades and interior fit-out has the largest annual recruitment requirement and it is the largest construction occupation group in Scotland.

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