THE digital technology sector is forecast to grow twice as fast as the Scottish economy overall in the years to 2024, according to research published today by Skills Development Scotland and the Digital Technologies Skills Group.

This growth is creating unprecedented demand for digital skills with employers across all sectors seeking to harness the benefits of technology to drive innovation and increase competitiveness.

The new publication, Scotland’s Digital Technologies, found that digital technology was the fastest growing sector of the economy accounting for five per cent of Scotland’s total business base and employing two per cent of the national workforce.

The number of tech businesses rose by 53 per cent between 2010 and 2015 — almost three times as fast as businesses across Scotland in its entirety (19 per cent). Micro businesses employing between one and ten employees account for 95 per cent of firms in the sector.

Over 60,000 people are employed in tech businesses across Scotland with 60 per cent working in tech roles and 40 per cent working in other types of jobs. The top three employment areas are Glasgow City (29 per cent), Edinburgh (23 per cent) and West Lothian (nine per cent).

Tech professionals are in demand across the whole economy and over 90,000 people are employed in tech roles in all sectors in Scotland — a 10 per cent increase in employment from 2015–16. Two fifths are employed in tech businesses with the remainder employed in other sectors such as finance, creative industries, engineering and healthcare.

The Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: “Scotland has a proud tradition as a digital leader and today this government is putting digital technology at the heart of everything we do, from reforming our public services to boosting digital skills and fostering our tech sector. Today’s report is good news and underlines the importance of digital skills to our economic and inclusive growth.”

Claire Gillespie, of Skills Development Scotland, said: “This growth is creating significant job opportunities for skilled workers, particularly young people.”