Research and data in the Scottish Borders: Place

Economy, business and work

Why is it important to have statistics about our economy, business and work?

Two of the national outcomes in the Scottish Government National Performance framework state the following about Scotland as a whole, we have:

  • a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy
  • thriving and innovative businesses with quality jobs and fair work for everyone

Scottish Borders plays its part in contributing towards the Scottish economy and ensuring that our region is the best place in Scotland to work and do business. For this, we need robust information to measure how we are performing.

Scottish Borders policy framework 

Our 2024-25 Council Plan is key to our policy framework on how we plan to deliver services in the next few years. It consists of six outcome priorities, which are informed by an evidence base, including the strategic assessment. Data on the economy, business and work are central to outcome priority three: "Strong inclusive economy, transport and infrastructure". You can see how we are delivering on this outcome in our quarterly and annual public performance reports

We are building a strong, inclusive economy, transport and infrastructure by delivering the following:

We also continue to build on our achievements from our previous Plans. 

Our economic and business objectives are managed by the Chief Executive's service director under several different departments, including Economic Development and Business Support.

Topic areas

There is a large amount of evidence from official statistics to inform our economic policy and business development, across a wide range of topic areas.

Business demography

Business analysis and support

Entrepreneurial activity and innovation

Labour Market, jobs and employment

Physical and digital infrastructure

Productivity and resilience

Town Centres and employment land

Tourism

Unemployment

Wages and income

Workforce skills and qualifications

Workplace equalities and workers' rights issues

Official statistics and in-house research are available on these topics for the Scottish Borders, sometimes with a breakdown at local level. If you study or volunteer for a community group in the Scottish Borders and don't see what you need here, or need help accessing and using these statistics, contact the Research and Information team.

Research and Data in the Scottish Borders

Research and information team

Contact the Corporate Performance and Information Research and Information Team for demographics research-related enquiries

Address: Council Headquarters
Newtown St. Boswells
Melrose
TD6 0SA

Telephone: 01835 824000