A SCOTTISH city is set to grow faster than the UK average over the next two years.
A major forecast by accountancy group PwC and the think tank Demos found that while Aberdeen is facing challenges such as a decline in the working age population and a reduction in oil and gas jobs, the city is set to outperform its rivals in terms of growth.
The annual Good Growth for Cities Index ranks the economic prospects of 51 population centres in the UK.
It predicted that the Scottish economy would grow at 1.1% in 2024, increasing to 1.9% in 2025.
Scotland comes in slightly ahead of the UK average growth, which is predicted at 1% for 2024 and 1.7% for 2025.
READ MORE: Dozens of Labour MPs threaten to rebel over Winter Fuel Payment cuts
However, Aberdeen is set to record growth higher than the UK average, with 1.2% this year and 1.8% in 2025.
PwC said that while the city had fallen six places compared to last year’s forecast, it was set for success “driven by projected growth in the professional, scientific and technical sector”.
In contrast, Edinburgh rose six places to ninth overall and Glasgow climbed four places to 31st.
Jason Morris, of PwC Scotland, said: “The latest Good Growth for Cities Index demonstrates a tale of three cities in Scotland.
“While all three are united in their overarching strengths including skills and the ratio of house-prices-to-earnings, when we look at performance across the indicators in the context of what members of the public place the most value in, the picture looks slightly different.
“Strength in skills and the relative affordability of housing demonstrate that we have the foundations laid to enable Scotland to attract new talent and retain its existing strong skills base.
“However, there is a need to address the public priorities for Scots highlighted in the Index which underline some key disparities across our cities. Our polling showed that Scots place importance on income, equality of income distribution, safety and work-life balance.”
However, Morris added that Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow were all facing challenges when it comes to health inequalities and skills.
He said: “The prime opportunity is for local authorities, businesses, devolved and national governments to work together to address skills shortages around emerging tech and digital, as well as energy transition and financial services, while investing in the fabric of our cities and addressing key challenges around health inequalities and new business — in order to create a fair and thriving Scottish economy.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here