Press Release: Cost of Living Dislodges the NHS as Scots’ Top Concern

25th May 2026

Tracker survey shows economic worries worsen as Scots fear further rises in cost of living 

The cost of living has overtaken healthcare and the NHS as the single biggest concern facing Scots for the first time in nearly three years, according to the latest Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker.

The quarterly survey, produced by The David Hume Institute with the Diffley Partnership paints an increasingly downbeat picture of Scotland’s economic mood following the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

Key findings include:

• Almost one in two Scots (47%) now rank the cost of living and inflation among the top issues facing the country. 

• More than three in four Scots who expressed an opinion (77%) say the economy is worse than a year ago, up sharply from around three in five (62%) in February, while a similar proportion (73%) expect economic conditions to deteriorate further over the next 12 months.

• Despite this collapse in economic sentiment, three in ten Scots (30%) now think the country is heading in the right direction, up notably since November 2025 (22%).

The findings suggest household financial pressures are once again dominating Scots attitudes, despite easing inflation headlines and political change at Holyrood. 

The survey also highlights how economic pressure is shaping everyday behaviour across Scotland:

• More than half of respondents (54%) say they have cut back on leisure activities because of concerns about money matters.

• A similar proportion (52%) say they have reduced non-essential spending.

• More than two in five Scots (41%) say they have dipped into savings to cope with rising costs.

The findings point to growing pressure on consumer confidence and household resilience - a significant concern for Scotland’s wider economy given the importance of consumer spending to the economy.

The report also identifies warning signs emerging in the labour market and housing affordability:

• Less than half of Scots (43%) are confident they could find a new job within three months if necessary, a decrease of four percentage points from last May (47%).

• Six in ten people (61%) say they are confident they could cope with higher housing costs over the next six months - down compared to last year.

The findings highlight the difficult economic backdrop faced by the country as it begins the new parliamentary term, with public expectations increasingly focused on living standards, wages and household financial security rather than constitutional debate.

The survey also highlights continued support for preventative approaches to tackling economic hardship:

• Nearly four in five Scots (78%) agree it costs the public purse more in the long run when people cannot meet their basic needs today.

• More than two thirds (68%) agree there is a collective responsibility to ensure a safety net during hard economic times.

Scott Edgar, Senior Research Manager, The Diffley Partnership: 

“Coming just after the Scottish Parliament election, these findings underline the scale of the economic challenge facing the new Parliament. While there has been a modest improvement in how people feel about the country’s direction, that sits alongside a much more pessimistic view of the economy and living standards.

The cost of living is the defining issue for Scots, overtaking the NHS as the top concern, and shaping how people are managing their day-to-day lives. 

The task now for decision-makers is to rebuild confidence at a time when financial pressures remain entrenched and expectations for the future are increasingly fragile.”

Susan Murray, Director, The David Hume Institute:

“Consumer confidence is fundamental to a thriving economy. When people are cutting back on leisure activities, reducing non-essential spending and dipping into savings to cover everyday costs, that has a direct impact on the wider economy, investment and local communities.

“The challenge for Scotland’s political and business leaders now is to rebuild confidence at a time when public pessimism about the economy and rising cost of living is deepening and expectations for the future are becoming increasingly fragile.”

The Understanding Scotland Economy Tracker surveyed 2,170 adults across Scotland between 11 and 15 May 2026.  The survey has been tracking public opinion and behaviour on the Scottish Economy since October 2021.

ENDS

 Notes

• Designed by the Diffley Partnership and the David Hume Institute, the survey received 2,170 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 11th and 15th May 2026. Results are weighted to the Scottish population (2024 estimates) by age and gender.