Population Statistics

The constituency has an age profile which is fairly similar to that of Highland and Scotland. Although there is a slightly lower proportion of people aged 0-15 than Highland or Scotland in the age group 16-29 there is a slightly higher proportion. The proportion of people between 44 years and retirement and over is slightly lower than in Highland.

58% of housing was owner occupied which was higher than the Scotland average of 52%. Conversely 27% of housing was council rented which was lower than the Scotland average of 34%. 12.3% of the residents had a different address a year ago which was higher than the UK percentage of 9.7%. This indicates a reasonably mobile population.

Employment and Unemployment

The 1991 Census showed that of those residents of working age, 80% were economically active, greater than the Great Britain average of 77.4%. Of those economically active, 11.8% were self-employed compared to a Scottish average of 8.6%.

An employment census of 1993 found that 40,900 residents were in work. Of these 3,000 were employed in manufacturing; 2,400 in construction; 13,500 in distribution, hotels and restaurants; 2,600 in transport and communications; 3,700 in banking, finance and insurance; 12,000 in public administration, education and health; and 2,500 in other services.

Unemployment in the Highlands and Islands has been thankfully falling in the past few years but concerns have been raised recently about the impact of job losses at Barmac and the effects of higher taxation on the area.