Press Release: Health care and the cost of living top priorities for Scots
Monday 24th February 2024
The economy emerges as a key priority as 62% of Scots say conditions have worsened in past year.
New polling data shows healthcare and the cost of living remain the biggest concerns for people living in Scotland, with an increasing number turning their attention to the economy.
The Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker from the David Hume Institute and the Diffley Partnership surveys Scots every quarter to measure economic attitudes, behaviours and spending intentions.
The new data, collected in the first week of February 2025, highlights persistent personal financial pressures, widespread spending cutbacks, and limited optimism about economic recovery in the year ahead.
Healthcare remains the top priority for Scots, with concern rising by four percentage points to 50%, while the cost of living remains a pressing issue at 34%. At the same time, concern about the economy is resurging, increasing by four percentage points to 20%, up from a low of 16% in November 2024.
The economic outlook remains bleak:
62% of Scots say conditions have worsened over the past year
64% expect further deterioration in the next 12 months.
While the proportion predicting worsening conditions has declined slightly - by one to two percentage points - this has not led to increased optimism. Fewer than one in ten expect economic improvement.
Financial pressures persist and cost-cutting behaviours are now the norm.
More than half of Scots (53%) are cutting back on leisure activities and reducing non-essential spending (52%), while 45% are saving less than usual.
Public sentiment towards Scotland’s overall direction remains largely negative, with 53% believing the country is on the wrong track. However, this figure has fallen by three percentage points since the last survey, while optimism is slowly increasing. The proportion of Scots who believe the country is heading in the right direction has risen by four percentage points to 24%, narrowly overtaking those who remain uncertain (23%).
Throughout the year, the Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker will continue to monitor these trends, providing essential insights into the financial realities and economic outlook of people across the country.
Susan Murray, Director of the David Hume Institute said:
“This survey shows the stark reality of life for many people in Scotland. With so much talk about increasing growth at Westminster and Holyrood, many of the infrastructure investments that are hoped will drive growth are way down the line.
This survey shows the physical and mental health of Scots is being affected today which will cost society more in the long run, through long term health conditions, and lower productivity. The promise of jam tomorrow is not easing the burden of financial stress today.”
Scott Edgar, Senior Research Manager, at the Diffley Partnership said:
“Healthcare, the cost of living, and economic uncertainty dominate public concern, with Scots clearly feeling the strain on public services and their pockets.
Cost-cutting behaviours are widespread and fewer people are able to save for a rainy day or their long-term goals. The resurgence of economic worries we are tracking signals deeper anxieties about the year ahead and the lead up to Holyrood 2026 elections.
However, with a small but notable rise in optimism in the country’s direction, there are early signs that confidence in Scotland’s future may be starting to shift.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Designed by the Diffley Partnership and the David Hume Institute, the survey received 2,194 responses from a representative sample of the adult population, aged 16+, across Scotland. Invitations were issued online using the ScotPulse panel, and fieldwork was conducted between the 4th-10th February. Results are weighted to the Scottish population (2021 estimates) by age and gender.
