STATISTICS OVERVIEW

Social and Economic Background

The Western Isles, or Outer Hebrides, are on the periphery of Europe, 130 miles long, 30 miles from the west coast of the Scottish mainland. They share their northerly latitude with Gothenberg (Sweden), Jeuneau (Alaska), and Sverdlosk in Russia. The total population of the Islands is approximately 26,502 and decreased by 6% between 1981 and 1991. Given a total land area of 289,000 hectares it is evident that the area is one of the most sparsely populated in Europe. The Island of Lewis with Harris is the most northerly of the Island chain and with an estimated population of 20,000 is also the most populous. Stornoway, Lewis, the administrative capital, is the only urban centre within the islands, has a population of approximately 10,000 persons.

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The Western Isles is an area rich in scenic beauty and historical and cultural tradition. The Gaelic language plays a prominent role in the lives of the people of the Western isles. Recent figures indicate that approximately 70% of the population aged three years and over speaks, reads or writes Gaelic. The Islands have a tradition of high educational qualifications.

The Western Isles is one of the most fragile areas of the United Kingdom, and has been shown to have the lowest income per head of any Local Government area in Scotland. Income per capita is 65% of the UK average, whilst the GRP per capita is 52% of the UK average. Approximately, 20% of the elegible population in the Western Isles are in receipt of income support, a proportion far in excess of the national average. The level of structural unemployment within the Western Isles is persistently high and compares unfavourably with other areas in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland where diversity of opportunity and mobility of labour are both higher and more readily available.