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Economy and work in West Lothian

Council area

Central Scotland. 187,240 people in 429 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for West 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

West Lothian’s 257 neighbourhoods range from 0 to 55.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£40,134
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in West Lothian earned a median of £40,134 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: West Lothian among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. West Lothian is £40,134.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
3,230
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In West Lothian, 3,230 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

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People claiming out-of-work benefits: West Lothian among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. West Lothian is 3,230.

Claimant rate

Council
2.7%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In West Lothian, 2.7% 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
16% lower3.2%
Against the UK
31% lower3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: West Lothian among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. West Lothian is 2.7%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
83.6%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

83.6% of people aged 16 to 64 in West Lothian were in work in the year to March 2026.

West Lothian is 28th highest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: West Lothian among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. West Lothian is 83.6%.