Labour costs

Staffing costs in Scotland, including indirect social wage costs such as employer national insurance, are among the lowest in Europe. Labour and real estate costs are approximately 40% lower than London and the south-east of England. Earnings in Edinburgh City Region are higher than the Scottish average, but lower than the UK average, reflecting the calibre and occupational structure of the local workforce.

In European terms, earnings in Edinburgh City are on a par with its northern European competitors and significantly higher than city-regions in southern and eastern Europe.