Scotland’s women more educated than men but hold fewer management jobs – data

Statistics have shown that women in Scotland are more highly educated than men – but hold less than half of managerial roles.

Census statistics from National Records of Scotland (NRS) showed that about a third of adults in Scotland (1.5 million) have degree level qualifications or above – an increase of 334,200 since 2011.

The latest report from Scotland’s Census 2022 found more than a third (35.1%) of females aged over 16 now have a degree or above, compared to 27.1% in 2011, with a less significant increase for men, from 25% in 2011 to 29.6% in 2022.

However, despite women holding a higher proportion of education certificates, only 40% of managerial roles were held by females.

More than half of workers in professional (55.3%) and associate professional (50.3%) jobs were female, the figures showed.

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Half the population of Edinburgh has been educated to at least degree level, the data showed, compared to less than a quarter of adults in West Dunbartonshire (21.7%), the lowest level of higher education per region.

Neighbouring East Dunbartonshire is one of the better educated regions with 42.9% of adults completing higher education, while East Renfrewshire had the second highest rate, at 44.9%.

Almost a third (31.6%) of employees worked from home in 2022, with the number rising to 800,500, up from 259,600 in 2011 – an increase of more than 200% (208.4%, or 540,900 people).

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics showed the number of people in Britain working from home or hybrid working has been similar to 2022.

The number of people driving to work fell by 180,600 – but remained the most common way of travelling (1,163,700), with two-thirds of in-person workers driving (67.1%) – an increase from 62.8% in 2011.

Almost half (45.9%) of all workers drove to work in a car or van in March 2022, census data showed.

NRS director of census statistics, Jon Wroth-Smith, said: “Census data presents a fascinating picture of how Scotland’s people, and their day-to-day lives, are changing.

“Since 2011 we have seen a large increase in the number of adults with degree level qualifications or above. In particular, more than a third of females across Scotland now have a degree or above, compared to 27.1% in 2011.

“The increase in home working was largely driven by changes in response to the pandemic.

“Some changes in response to the pandemic were temporary. Others are likely to be longer lasting.

“There were limited, Vovid-related restrictions in place in March 2022, outside of health and social care settings.”

The seventh report will include information on health, disability and unpaid care and will be published on October 3.