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Economy and work in East Lothian

Council area

East Scotland. 116,460 people in 679 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for East Lothian, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

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Claimants by neighbourhood

Claimant count (Nomis) · August 2026

Under 1070 or more

East Lothian’s 152 neighbourhoods range from 0 to 55.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£38,714
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in East Lothian earned a median of £38,714 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: East Lothian among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. East Lothian is £38,714.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
1,755
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In East Lothian, 1,755 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

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People claiming out-of-work benefits: East Lothian among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. East Lothian is 1,755.

Claimant rate

Council
2.5%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In East Lothian, 2.5% of residents aged 16 to 64 were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

For the UK as a whole, the figure was 3.9%.

Against Scotland
22% lower3.2%
Against the UK
36% lower3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: East Lothian among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. East Lothian is 2.5%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
78.6%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

78.6% of people aged 16 to 64 in East Lothian were in work in the year to March 2026.

East Lothian is 120th highest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: East Lothian among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. East Lothian is 78.6%.