International Comparisons of Labour Market and Skills Performance

McGregor, A., Simpson, E. and Sutherland, V. (2005) International Comparisons of Labour Market and Skills Performance. Scottish Government (Futureskills Scotland): Edinburgh, UK.

Abstract

International Comparisons of Labour Market and Skills Performance - key findings: * In terms of economic performance, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per person in Scotland in 2001 was 80 per cent of the benchmark group average, and much of this was due to lower productivity than in the benchmark group. * Labour supply is measured by looking at the proportion of the population that is of working age and the proportion of the working age population that is economically active. On each of these measures, Scotland is close to the average of the benchmark group. * Scotland lies in the bottom half of the league table on each of the four indicators of labour utilisation which are used. Here, in general, the gap between Scotland and the benchmark group is large. * Scotland is in the top half of the league table on all of the indicators of labour quality and human capital investment, and often in the top quarter. Scotland outperforms the benchmark group on the proportions of relevant groups (i) with different types of qualifications (ii) undertaking work-related training and (iii) achieving high scores in internationally comparable tests of 15 year olds. Scotland lags the benchmark group in the proportion of the workforce with degrees. This report aimed to shed light on two questions: 1- To what extent do labour market factors (including the quality of the workforce) explain Scotland's relative economic performance? 2- In which areas is Scotland's labour market performance relatively strong and relatively weak? The report does this by examining 18 indicators of performance using published data from official sources. Where data permit, Scotland has been compared with other nations and regions of the UK, up to 72 regions of the EU and up to 30 nations of the OECD.

• Item Type: Books
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sutherland, Mrs Victoria
• Authors: McGregor, A., Simpson, E., and Sutherland, V.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Publisher: Scottish Government (Futureskills Scotland)