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Gross Domestic Product

What is GDP?

Gross domestic product (GDP) is a measure of economic activity which captures the value of goods and services produced during a given period. Change in GDP is used as the main indicator of economic growth in Scotland. When people describe the growth or contraction of the economy, it is the change in GDP to which they refer.

Growth in Scotland's Gross Domestic Product is measured using the output approach. This is estimated by measuring the output of each industry in Scotland and combining them together to form an estimate for the whole economy.

The latest GDP publication is available here

We are interested in users' views on a new format for publishing GDP statistics. Please see below for more information and how to contact us.

What are you looking for?
Where is it?
The most recent headline figures
       Summary of Key Findings Visual Summary (pdf)
       Detailed Results and Commentary

Statistical Bulletin (pdf)

in Visual Summary style (pdf)
       Table of Headline Results Table 1 (Excel)
Data from the most recent publication
       Machine readable data Open data platform
       Results for Broad Industries and UK Comparisons Tables 2a and 2b (Excel)
       Detailed Services Industries (Quarterly, 1998-present) Table 3 (Excel)
       Detailed Production Industries (Quarterly, 1998-present) Table 4 (Excel)
       Historic GDP Estimates (Annual, 1963-present) Table 5 (Excel)
       Revisions in the latest publication Tables R (T1-T4) (Excel) 
Background information
       How the figures are calculated Methodology Guide
       What data sources are used Sources catalogue
       Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions
Other sources of GDP data
       Cash value of GDP Quarterly National Accounts Scotland
       The relative size of industries in the economy Supply and Use Tables

Publication Design

September 2017 - An expanded visual summary

Over the past year we have been looking at ways of making GDP data easier to understand. In July 2017 (the 2017 Q1 publication) we published a visual summary of the GDP statistics which was extremely well received by a wide range of our users. In October 2017 (for the 2017 Q2 GDP publication) we have published an expanded version of the visual summary alongside the existing GDP publication, with a view to replacing the existing publication with this new format. All existing information published in the associated excel tables will continue as normal.

Most of the information in the previous version of the GDP publication is directly transferred into the new visual summary, with additional detail added on the drivers of growth.

If you have any comments about this format, or if you would like to discuss the impact of these changes, please contact gdp_stats@gov.scot.