BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 99
Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) weighted Scotland estimates containing data to wave 99 (including data for Wave 98).
This document is part of a collection
Worker Shortages
In Wave 99, businesses were asked whether they are currently experiencing a shortage of workers.
Figure 1: In Wave 99, an estimated 25.3% of businesses reported experiencing a shortage of workers – up from 22.1% in the previous wave.
Estimated share of businesses experiencing a shortage of workers. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Applicable waves 42 to 99.
Source: BICS Weighted Scotland Estimates - Wave 99 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 1 data see table ‘WorkerShortage’.
In Wave 99, the industry sector with the highest rate of worker shortages was Construction (41.7%).
The BICS also asks businesses that are experiencing a shortage of workers, about how their businesses has been affected by this – the specific question asked is shown below.
Worker Shortage question: How has the shortage of workers affected your business?
- employees working increased hours
- had to pause trading entirely
- had to pause trading some of the business
- had to recruit temporary workers
- unable to meet demands
- other
- not sure
- business has not been affected
Figure 2: In Wave 99, 48.1% of businesses reported that the shortage of workers has resulted in employees working increased hours. The next most commonly reported impacts were that businesses were unable to meet demands (38.6%) and had to recruit temporary workers (34.2%).
Estimated share of businesses by impact of worker shortage. Businesses not permanently stopped trading and experiencing a worker shortage, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 99 - 27 December 2023 to 7 January 2024.
Source: BICS Weighted Scotland Estimates - Wave 99 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 2 data see table ‘WorkerShortageAffected’.
Contact
For enquiries about this publication please contact:
Marina Curran
Business & Innovation Statistics
Office of the Chief Economic Adviser
e-mail: industrystatistics@gov.scot
For general enquiries about Scottish Government statistics please contact:
Office of the Chief Statistician
e-mail: statistics.enquiries@gov.scot
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