Who Gets What

Compare local authorities · Scotland and Scotland

Highland and Scottish Borders

237,570 and 117,190 residents (mid-2024).

Highland is higher than Scottish Borders on 11 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 9 of 22 per resident and 22 of 22 in total.

On 14 of 22 measures, which area is higher depends on whether you count per person or in total. Choose a way of counting below to see each one.

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Highland and Scottish Borders on a map of the local authorities of Great Britain
How to count
Prices

Money in 2026-27 prices, adjusted for inflation so that years can be compared2026-27 prices, using CPI inflation, adjusted for inflation so that years can be comparedcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.

Per person in the age group

Highland is higher on 11 of 22 measures, and Scottish Borders on 11. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Highland Scottish Borders

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Highland £4,697, Scottish Borders £4,986Scottish Borders: £4,986Highland: £4,697Scottish Borders: £5,007Highland: £4,717Scottish Borders: £4,729Highland: £4,456

    £4,697£4,717£4,456Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£4,986£5,007£4,729

  2. Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Highland £12,409, Scottish Borders £12,258Scottish Borders: £12,258Highland: £12,409Scottish Borders: £12,310Highland: £12,462Scottish Borders: £11,627Highland: £11,771

    £12,409£12,462£11,771Highland is higherDepends on how you count£12,258£12,310£11,627

  3. Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Highland £1,725, Scottish Borders £1,832Scottish Borders: £1,832Highland: £1,725Scottish Borders: £1,840Highland: £1,732Scottish Borders: £1,738Highland: £1,636

    £1,725£1,732£1,636Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£1,832£1,840£1,738

  4. State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Highland £11,412, Scottish Borders £11,419Scottish Borders: £11,419Highland: £11,412Scottish Borders: £11,467Highland: £11,461Scottish Borders: £10,831Highland: £10,825

    £11,412£11,461£10,825Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£11,419£11,467£10,831

  5. Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Highland £356, Scottish Borders £294Scottish Borders: £294Highland: £356Scottish Borders: £295Highland: £358Scottish Borders: £279Highland: £338

    £356£358£338Highland is higher£294£295£279

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per person aged 66 and over: Highland £621, Scottish Borders £529Scottish Borders: £529Highland: £621Scottish Borders: £531Highland: £624Scottish Borders: £501Highland: £589

    £621£624£589Highland is higher£529£531£501

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per person aged 66 and over: Highland £19, Scottish Borders £16Scottish Borders: £16Highland: £19Scottish Borders: £16Highland: £20Scottish Borders: £15Highland: £18

    £19£20£18Highland is higher£16£16£15

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Highland £495, Scottish Borders £449Scottish Borders: £449Highland: £495Scottish Borders: £451Highland: £497Scottish Borders: £426Highland: £470

    £495£497£470Highland is higher£449£451£426

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Highland £141, Scottish Borders £121Scottish Borders: £121Highland: £141Scottish Borders: £122Highland: £142Scottish Borders: £115Highland: £134

    £141£142£134Highland is higher£121£122£115

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per person aged 16 to 64: Highland £101, Scottish Borders £98Scottish Borders: £98Highland: £101Scottish Borders: £99Highland: £101Scottish Borders: £93Highland: £96

    £101£101£96Highland is higher£98£99£93

  11. Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Highland £1,294, Scottish Borders £1,354Scottish Borders: £1,354Highland: £1,294Scottish Borders: £1,359Highland: £1,300Scottish Borders: £1,284Highland: £1,228

    £1,294£1,300£1,228Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£1,354£1,359£1,284

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Highland £147, Scottish Borders £192Scottish Borders: £192Highland: £147Scottish Borders: £192Highland: £148Scottish Borders: £182Highland: £139

    £147£148£139Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£192£192£182

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Highland £320, Scottish Borders £368Scottish Borders: £368Highland: £320Scottish Borders: £369Highland: £322Scottish Borders: £349Highland: £304

    £320£322£304Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£368£369£349

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Highland £3.50, Scottish Borders £6.40Scottish Borders: £6.40Highland: £3.50Scottish Borders: £6.43Highland: £3.52Scottish Borders: £6.07Highland: £3.32

    £3.50£3.52£3.32Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£6.40£6.43£6.07

  15. Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Highland £5.55, Scottish Borders £5.74Scottish Borders: £5.74Highland: £5.55Scottish Borders: £5.76Highland: £5.57Scottish Borders: £5.44Highland: £5.26

    £5.55£5.57£5.26Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£5.74£5.76£5.44

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Highland £7.73, Scottish Borders £7.17Scottish Borders: £7.17Highland: £7.73Scottish Borders: £7.20Highland: £7.76Scottish Borders: £6.80Highland: £7.33

    £7.73£7.76£7.33Highland is higher£7.17£7.20£6.80

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Highland 1,002.6, Scottish Borders 1,006.0Scottish Borders: 1,006.0Highland: 1,002.6

    1,002.6Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count1,006.0

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Highland 91.3, Scottish Borders 82.4Scottish Borders: 82.4Highland: 91.3

    91.3Highland is higherDepends on how you count82.4

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Highland 137.8, Scottish Borders 134.0Scottish Borders: 134.0Highland: 137.8

    137.8Highland is higherDepends on how you count134.0

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Highland 77.4, Scottish Borders 71.6Scottish Borders: 71.6Highland: 77.4

    77.4Highland is higher71.6

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Highland 162.8, Scottish Borders 178.6Scottish Borders: 178.6Highland: 162.8

    162.8Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count178.6

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Highland 22.5, Scottish Borders 23.5Scottish Borders: 23.5Highland: 22.5

    22.5Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count23.5

Show the numbers
Highland and Scottish Borders, per person in the age group
MeasureHighlandScottish BordersHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,697£4,717£4,456Estimated£4,986£5,007£4,729EstimatedScottish Borders
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£12,409£12,462£11,771Estimated£12,258£12,310£11,627EstimatedHighland
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,725£1,732£1,636Estimated£1,832£1,840£1,738EstimatedScottish Borders
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£11,412£11,461£10,825£11,419£11,467£10,831Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£356£358£338£294£295£279Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£621£624£589Estimated£529£531£501EstimatedHighland
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£19£20£18Estimated£16£16£15EstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£495£497£470Estimated£449£451£426EstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£141£142£134Estimated£121£122£115EstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£101£101£96Estimated£98£99£93EstimatedHighland
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,294£1,300£1,228£1,354£1,359£1,284Scottish Borders
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£147£148£139£192£192£182Scottish Borders
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£320£322£304£368£369£349Scottish Borders
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£3.50£3.52£3.32£6.40£6.43£6.07Scottish Borders
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£5.55£5.57£5.26£5.74£5.76£5.44Scottish Borders
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£7.73£7.76£7.33Estimated£7.17£7.20£6.80EstimatedHighland
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 20261,002.61,006.0Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 202691.382.4Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026137.8134.0Highland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202677.471.6Highland
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026162.8178.6Scottish Borders
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202622.5Estimated23.5EstimatedScottish Borders

Per resident

Highland is higher on 9 of 22 measures, and Scottish Borders on 13. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Highland Scottish Borders

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Highland £4,697, Scottish Borders £4,986Scottish Borders: £4,986Highland: £4,697Scottish Borders: £5,007Highland: £4,717Scottish Borders: £4,729Highland: £4,456

    £4,697£4,717£4,456Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£4,986£5,007£4,729

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Highland £2,872, Scottish Borders £3,165Scottish Borders: £3,165Highland: £2,872Scottish Borders: £3,178Highland: £2,885Scottish Borders: £3,002Highland: £2,725

    £2,872£2,885£2,725Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£3,165£3,178£3,002

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Highland £1,034, Scottish Borders £1,052Scottish Borders: £1,052Highland: £1,034Scottish Borders: £1,056Highland: £1,038Scottish Borders: £998Highland: £981

    £1,034£1,038£981Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£1,052£1,056£998

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Highland £2,642, Scottish Borders £2,948Scottish Borders: £2,948Highland: £2,642Scottish Borders: £2,961Highland: £2,653Scottish Borders: £2,797Highland: £2,506

    £2,642£2,653£2,506Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£2,948£2,961£2,797

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Highland £83, Scottish Borders £76Scottish Borders: £76Highland: £83Scottish Borders: £76Highland: £83Scottish Borders: £72Highland: £78

    £83£83£78Highland is higher£76£76£72

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Highland £144, Scottish Borders £137Scottish Borders: £137Highland: £144Scottish Borders: £137Highland: £144Scottish Borders: £129Highland: £136

    £144£144£136Highland is higher£137£137£129

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per resident: Highland £4.51, Scottish Borders £4.15Scottish Borders: £4.15Highland: £4.51Scottish Borders: £4.17Highland: £4.53Scottish Borders: £3.94Highland: £4.28

    £4.51£4.53£4.28Highland is higher£4.15£4.17£3.94

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Highland £495, Scottish Borders £449Scottish Borders: £449Highland: £495Scottish Borders: £451Highland: £497Scottish Borders: £426Highland: £470

    £495£497£470Highland is higher£449£451£426

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Highland £141, Scottish Borders £121Scottish Borders: £121Highland: £141Scottish Borders: £122Highland: £142Scottish Borders: £115Highland: £134

    £141£142£134Highland is higher£121£122£115

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Highland £60, Scottish Borders £56Scottish Borders: £56Highland: £60Scottish Borders: £57Highland: £61Scottish Borders: £53Highland: £57

    £60£61£57Highland is higher£56£57£53

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Highland £776, Scottish Borders £777Scottish Borders: £777Highland: £776Scottish Borders: £780Highland: £779Scottish Borders: £737Highland: £736

    £776£779£736Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£777£780£737

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Highland £147, Scottish Borders £192Scottish Borders: £192Highland: £147Scottish Borders: £192Highland: £148Scottish Borders: £182Highland: £139

    £147£148£139Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£192£192£182

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Highland £192, Scottish Borders £211Scottish Borders: £211Highland: £192Scottish Borders: £212Highland: £193Scottish Borders: £200Highland: £182

    £192£193£182Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£211£212£200

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Highland £2.10, Scottish Borders £3.68Scottish Borders: £3.68Highland: £2.10Scottish Borders: £3.69Highland: £2.11Scottish Borders: £3.49Highland: £1.99

    £2.10£2.11£1.99Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£3.68£3.69£3.49

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Highland £3.32, Scottish Borders £3.29Scottish Borders: £3.29Highland: £3.32Scottish Borders: £3.30Highland: £3.34Scottish Borders: £3.12Highland: £3.15

    £3.32£3.34£3.15Highland is higherDepends on how you count£3.29£3.30£3.12

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Highland £7.73, Scottish Borders £7.17Scottish Borders: £7.17Highland: £7.73Scottish Borders: £7.20Highland: £7.76Scottish Borders: £6.80Highland: £7.33

    £7.73£7.76£7.33Highland is higher£7.17£7.20£6.80

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Highland 232.1, Scottish Borders 259.7Scottish Borders: 259.7Highland: 232.1

    232.1Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count259.7

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Highland 21.1, Scottish Borders 21.3Scottish Borders: 21.3Highland: 21.1

    21.1Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count21.3

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Highland 31.9, Scottish Borders 34.6Scottish Borders: 34.6Highland: 31.9

    31.9Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count34.6

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Highland 77.4, Scottish Borders 71.6Scottish Borders: 71.6Highland: 77.4

    77.4Highland is higher71.6

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Highland 97.6, Scottish Borders 102.5Scottish Borders: 102.5Highland: 97.6

    97.6Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count102.5

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 residents: Highland 13.5, Scottish Borders 13.5Scottish Borders: 13.5Highland: 13.5

    13.5Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count13.5

Show the numbers
Highland and Scottish Borders, per resident
MeasureHighlandScottish BordersHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,697£4,717£4,456Estimated£4,986£5,007£4,729EstimatedScottish Borders
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£2,872£2,885£2,725Estimated£3,165£3,178£3,002EstimatedScottish Borders
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,034£1,038£981Estimated£1,052£1,056£998EstimatedScottish Borders
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£2,642£2,653£2,506£2,948£2,961£2,797Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£83£83£78£76£76£72Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£144£144£136Estimated£137£137£129EstimatedHighland
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£4.51£4.53£4.28Estimated£4.15£4.17£3.94EstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£495£497£470Estimated£449£451£426EstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£141£142£134Estimated£121£122£115EstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£60£61£57Estimated£56£57£53EstimatedHighland
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£776£779£736£777£780£737Scottish Borders
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£147£148£139£192£192£182Scottish Borders
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£192£193£182£211£212£200Scottish Borders
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£2.10£2.11£1.99£3.68£3.69£3.49Scottish Borders
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£3.32£3.34£3.15£3.29£3.30£3.12Highland
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£7.73£7.76£7.33Estimated£7.17£7.20£6.80EstimatedHighland
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026232.1259.7Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202621.121.3Scottish Borders
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202631.934.6Scottish Borders
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202677.471.6Highland
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 202697.6102.5Scottish Borders
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202613.5Estimated13.5EstimatedScottish Borders

Total

Highland is higher on 22 of 22 measures, and Scottish Borders on 0. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Highland Scottish Borders

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Highland £1.1bn, Scottish Borders £584.3mScottish Borders: £584.3mHighland: £1.1bnScottish Borders: £586.8mHighland: £1.1bnScottish Borders: £554.2mHighland: £1.1bn

    £1.1bnHighland is higherDepends on how you count£584.3m£586.8m£554.2m

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Highland £682.4m, Scottish Borders £370.9mScottish Borders: £370.9mHighland: £682.4mScottish Borders: £372.5mHighland: £685.3mScottish Borders: £351.8mHighland: £647.3m

    £682.4m£685.3m£647.3mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£370.9m£372.5m£351.8m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Highland £245.6m, Scottish Borders £123.2mScottish Borders: £123.2mHighland: £245.6mScottish Borders: £123.8mHighland: £246.6mScottish Borders: £116.9mHighland: £232.9m

    £245.6m£246.6m£232.9mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£123.2m£123.8m£116.9m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Highland £627.6m, Scottish Borders £345.5mScottish Borders: £345.5mHighland: £627.6mScottish Borders: £347.0mHighland: £630.2mScottish Borders: £327.7mHighland: £595.3m

    £627.6m£630.2m£595.3mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£345.5m£347.0m£327.7m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Highland £19.6m, Scottish Borders £8.9mScottish Borders: £8.9mHighland: £19.6mScottish Borders: £8.9mHighland: £19.7mScottish Borders: £8.4mHighland: £18.6m

    £19.6m£19.7m£18.6mHighland is higher£8.9m£8.9m£8.4m

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Highland £34.2m, Scottish Borders £16.0mScottish Borders: £16.0mHighland: £34.2mScottish Borders: £16.1mHighland: £34.3mScottish Borders: £15.2mHighland: £32.4m

    £34.2m£34.3m£32.4mHighland is higher£16.0m£16.1m£15.2m

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, total: Highland £1.1m, Scottish Borders £0.49mScottish Borders: £0.49mHighland: £1.1mScottish Borders: £0.49mHighland: £1.1mScottish Borders: £0.46mHighland: £1.0m

    £1.1m£1.1m£1.0mHighland is higher£0.49m£0.49m£0.46m

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Highland £117.7m, Scottish Borders £52.6mScottish Borders: £52.6mHighland: £117.7mScottish Borders: £52.9mHighland: £118.2mScottish Borders: £49.9mHighland: £111.6m

    £117.7m£118.2m£111.6mHighland is higher£52.6m£52.9m£49.9m

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Highland £33.5m, Scottish Borders £14.2mScottish Borders: £14.2mHighland: £33.5mScottish Borders: £14.3mHighland: £33.7mScottish Borders: £13.5mHighland: £31.8m

    £33.5m£33.7m£31.8mHighland is higher£14.2m£14.3m£13.5m

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Highland £14.4m, Scottish Borders £6.6mScottish Borders: £6.6mHighland: £14.4mScottish Borders: £6.6mHighland: £14.4mScottish Borders: £6.3mHighland: £13.6m

    £14.4m£14.4m£13.6mHighland is higher£6.6m£6.6m£6.3m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Highland £184.3m, Scottish Borders £91.1mScottish Borders: £91.1mHighland: £184.3mScottish Borders: £91.5mHighland: £185.1mScottish Borders: £86.4mHighland: £174.8m

    £184.3m£185.1m£174.8mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£91.1m£91.5m£86.4m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Highland £34.9m, Scottish Borders £22.5mScottish Borders: £22.5mHighland: £34.9mScottish Borders: £22.6mHighland: £35.0mScottish Borders: £21.3mHighland: £33.1m

    £34.9m£35.0m£33.1mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£22.5m£22.6m£21.3m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Highland £45.6m, Scottish Borders £24.8mScottish Borders: £24.8mHighland: £45.6mScottish Borders: £24.9mHighland: £45.8mScottish Borders: £23.5mHighland: £43.3m

    £45.6m£45.8m£43.3mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£24.8m£24.9m£23.5m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Highland £0.50m, Scottish Borders £0.43mScottish Borders: £0.43mHighland: £0.50mScottish Borders: £0.43mHighland: £0.50mScottish Borders: £0.41mHighland: £0.47m

    £0.50m£0.50m£0.47mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£0.43m£0.43m£0.41m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Highland £0.79m, Scottish Borders £0.39mScottish Borders: £0.39mHighland: £0.79mScottish Borders: £0.39mHighland: £0.79mScottish Borders: £0.37mHighland: £0.75m

    £0.79m£0.79m£0.75mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£0.39m£0.39m£0.37m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Highland £1.8m, Scottish Borders £0.84mScottish Borders: £0.84mHighland: £1.8mScottish Borders: £0.84mHighland: £1.8mScottish Borders: £0.80mHighland: £1.7m

    £1.8m£1.8m£1.7mHighland is higher£0.84m£0.84m£0.80m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Highland 55,132, Scottish Borders 30,439Scottish Borders: 30,439Highland: 55,132

    55,132Highland is higherDepends on how you count30,439

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Highland 5,020, Scottish Borders 2,493Scottish Borders: 2,493Highland: 5,020

    5,020Highland is higherDepends on how you count2,493

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Highland 7,575, Scottish Borders 4,055Scottish Borders: 4,055Highland: 7,575

    7,575Highland is higherDepends on how you count4,055

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Highland 18,395, Scottish Borders 8,385Scottish Borders: 8,385Highland: 18,395

    18,395Highland is higher8,385

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Highland 23,186, Scottish Borders 12,015Scottish Borders: 12,015Highland: 23,186

    23,186Highland is higherDepends on how you count12,015

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Highland 3,202, Scottish Borders 1,583Scottish Borders: 1,583Highland: 3,202

    3,202Highland is higherDepends on how you count1,583

Show the numbers
Highland and Scottish Borders, total
MeasureHighlandScottish BordersHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£1.1bnEstimated£584.3m£586.8m£554.2mEstimatedHighland
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£682.4m£685.3m£647.3mEstimated£370.9m£372.5m£351.8mEstimatedHighland
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£245.6m£246.6m£232.9mEstimated£123.2m£123.8m£116.9mEstimatedHighland
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£627.6m£630.2m£595.3m£345.5m£347.0m£327.7mHighland
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£19.6m£19.7m£18.6m£8.9m£8.9m£8.4mHighland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£34.2m£34.3m£32.4mEstimated£16.0m£16.1m£15.2mEstimatedHighland
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£1.1m£1.1m£1.0mEstimated£0.49m£0.49m£0.46mEstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£117.7m£118.2m£111.6mEstimated£52.6m£52.9m£49.9mEstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£33.5m£33.7m£31.8mEstimated£14.2m£14.3m£13.5mEstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£14.4m£14.4m£13.6mEstimated£6.6m£6.6m£6.3mEstimatedHighland
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£184.3m£185.1m£174.8m£91.1m£91.5m£86.4mHighland
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£34.9m£35.0m£33.1m£22.5m£22.6m£21.3mHighland
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£45.6m£45.8m£43.3m£24.8m£24.9m£23.5mHighland
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£0.50m£0.50m£0.47m£0.43m£0.43m£0.41mHighland
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.79m£0.79m£0.75m£0.39m£0.39m£0.37mHighland
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£1.8m£1.8m£1.7mEstimated£0.84m£0.84m£0.80mEstimatedHighland
State Pensiontotal, March 202655,13230,439Highland
Pension Credittotal, March 20265,0202,493Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20267,5754,055Highland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 202618,3958,385Highland
Universal Credittotal, May 202623,18612,015Highland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 20263,202Estimated1,583EstimatedHighland

Sources

Each area's page lists the limits of its figures and where each one comes from.

  1. 1Department for Work and Pensions. Benefit expenditure by local authority, 2024-25. Published 15 December 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  2. 2Department for Work and Pensions. Benefit expenditure by parliamentary constituency, 2024-25. Published 15 December 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  3. 3Department for Work and Pensions. Stat-Xplore benefit caseloads and awards. Published 6 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  4. 4Social Security Scotland. Adult Disability Payment statistics to 31 July 2026. Published 14 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  5. 5Social Security Scotland. Child Disability Payment statistics to 30 June 2026. Published 17 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  6. 6Social Security Scotland. Pension Age Disability Payment statistics to 31 July 2026. Published 14 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  7. 7Social Security Scotland. Carer Support Payment statistics to 30 June 2026. Published 10 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  8. 8Social Security Scotland. Winter heating benefits statistics for winter 2025/26. Published 18 May 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  9. 9Office for National Statistics. Population estimates by local authority (Nomis NM_2002_1). Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  10. 10Office for National Statistics. Population estimates by 2024 parliamentary constituency (Nomis NM_2014_1). Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  11. 11National Records of Scotland. Population estimates for other geographies, mid-2011 to mid-2024. Published 31 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.