Monthly GDP Estimates For November

27th January 2021

Scotland's GDP fell by 1.4% in November, according to statistics announced today by the Chief Statistician. This is the first drop in GDP after six months of growth following the easing of the first lockdown in 2020. Output remains 7.1% below the level in February, prior to the direct impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Output continued to grow in the production and construction sectors, but fell by 2.2% overall in the services sector as restrictions on economic activity were extended or reintroduced across large parts of the country. The largest contributors to the drop were accommodation and food services, retail and wholesale, other personal services, and the arts, culture and recreation sector. These are the industries which are directly affected by the restrictions in the local protection levels which were in place throughout November.

Output in the production sector increased by 0.8% overall, with growth in manufacturing, mining, water and waste offset by a fall in electricity and gas supply. Construction sector output is estimated to have increased by 1.8% compared to October.