Skip to main content Skip to footer

Curious about how Scotland is doing? Since 2017, ScotPulse has been checking in with Scots, asking about their finances, job security, safety, happiness, and hopes for the future. 

The latest research was carried out in September 2024. 

What did we ask?


  1. How happy are you just now?
  2. How secure do you feel in your job?
  3. How safe do you feel in your local area?
  4. Compared to last year, how do you think your financial situation is?
  5. How positive do you feel about Scotland's future?

Changes to happiness over recent years

After falling in the last wave for the first time since February 2022, happiness sees a slight uptick again as we slowly move further from the worst of the cost of living crisis.

Job security by demographics

Women have higher perceived job security than men in August 2024 (7.76 vs 7.55 respectively) and residents in the East of Scotland feel most secure in their jobs, at an average score of 7.80. 

Personal Finances

00

On average, Scots rate their personal financial situation a 5.8/10. This has remained very similar over the past year.

Changes to personal finances since the cost of living crisis

Attitudes towards finances dropped across 2021 due to economic uncertainty but since then they have been relatively steady.  

Positivity about the country's future over time

Scot's attitude towards the country's future peaked in February 2021 with a score of 6.08. February 2024 seen an all time low of 5.17 but has since seen a slight increase to the current rating of 5.23.  

Download the full report