Who Gets What

Compare local authorities · Scotland and Scotland

Orkney Islands and Highland

22,000 and 237,570 residents (mid-2024).

Orkney Islands is higher than Highland on 4 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 6 of 22 per resident and 0 of 22 in total.

On 7 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.

Swap the two areas
Orkney Islands and Highland 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

Orkney Islands is higher on 4 of 22 measures, and Highland on 18. 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

Orkney Islands Highland

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £4,381, Highland £4,697Highland: £4,697Orkney Islands: £4,381Highland: £4,717Orkney Islands: £4,399Highland: £4,456Orkney Islands: £4,155

    £4,381£4,399£4,155Highland is higher£4,697£4,717£4,456

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

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands £11,866, Highland £12,409Highland: £12,409Orkney Islands: £11,866Highland: £12,462Orkney Islands: £11,916Highland: £11,771Orkney Islands: £11,255

    £11,866£11,916£11,255Highland is higherDepends on how you count£12,409£12,462£11,771

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

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £1,374, Highland £1,725Highland: £1,725Orkney Islands: £1,374Highland: £1,732Orkney Islands: £1,380Highland: £1,636Orkney Islands: £1,304

    £1,374£1,380£1,304Highland is higher£1,725£1,732£1,636

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

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands £10,889, Highland £11,412Highland: £11,412Orkney Islands: £10,889Highland: £11,461Orkney Islands: £10,936Highland: £10,825Orkney Islands: £10,329

    £10,889£10,936£10,329Highland is higherDepends on how you count£11,412£11,461£10,825

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

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands £323, Highland £356Highland: £356Orkney Islands: £323Highland: £358Orkney Islands: £324Highland: £338Orkney Islands: £306

    £323£324£306Highland is higher£356£358£338

  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: Orkney Islands £636, Highland £621Highland: £621Orkney Islands: £636Highland: £624Orkney Islands: £639Highland: £589Orkney Islands: £603

    £636£639£603Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£621£624£589

  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: Orkney Islands £18, Highland £19Highland: £19Orkney Islands: £18Highland: £20Orkney Islands: £18Highland: £18Orkney Islands: £17

    £18£18£17Highland is higher£19£20£18

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £426, Highland £495Highland: £495Orkney Islands: £426Highland: £497Orkney Islands: £428Highland: £470Orkney Islands: £404

    £426£428£404Highland is higher£495£497£470

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £123, Highland £141Highland: £141Orkney Islands: £123Highland: £142Orkney Islands: £124Highland: £134Orkney Islands: £117

    £123£124£117Highland is higher£141£142£134

  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: Orkney Islands £84, Highland £101Highland: £101Orkney Islands: £84Highland: £101Orkney Islands: £85Highland: £96Orkney Islands: £80

    £84£85£80Highland is higher£101£101£96

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

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £956, Highland £1,294Highland: £1,294Orkney Islands: £956Highland: £1,300Orkney Islands: £960Highland: £1,228Orkney Islands: £907

    £956£960£907Highland is higher£1,294£1,300£1,228

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Orkney Islands £129, Highland £147Highland: £147Orkney Islands: £129Highland: £148Orkney Islands: £130Highland: £139Orkney Islands: £123

    £129£130£123Highland is higher£147£148£139

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

    Employment and Support Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £329, Highland £320Highland: £320Orkney Islands: £329Highland: £322Orkney Islands: £330Highland: £304Orkney Islands: £312

    £329£330£312Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£320£322£304

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

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £0.97, Highland £3.50Highland: £3.50Orkney Islands: £0.97Highland: £3.52Orkney Islands: £0.97Highland: £3.32Orkney Islands: £0.92

    £0.97£0.97£0.92Highland is higher£3.50£3.52£3.32

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

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £4.01, Highland £5.55Highland: £5.55Orkney Islands: £4.01Highland: £5.57Orkney Islands: £4.02Highland: £5.26Orkney Islands: £3.80

    £4.01£4.02£3.80Highland is higher£5.55£5.57£5.26

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £8.00, Highland £7.73Highland: £7.73Orkney Islands: £8.00Highland: £7.76Orkney Islands: £8.04Highland: £7.33Orkney Islands: £7.59

    £8.00£8.04£7.59Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£7.73£7.76£7.33

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

    State Pension, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands 995.3, Highland 1,002.6Highland: 1,002.6Orkney Islands: 995.3

    995.3Highland is higherDepends on how you count1,002.6

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

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands 74.3, Highland 91.3Highland: 91.3Orkney Islands: 74.3

    74.3Highland is higher91.3

  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: Orkney Islands 142.7, Highland 137.8Highland: 137.8Orkney Islands: 142.7

    142.7Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count137.8

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 63.6, Highland 77.4Highland: 77.4Orkney Islands: 63.6

    63.6Highland is higher77.4

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

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands 128.7, Highland 162.8Highland: 162.8Orkney Islands: 128.7

    128.7Highland is higher162.8

  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: Orkney Islands 19.0, Highland 22.5Highland: 22.5Orkney Islands: 19.0

    19.0Highland is higher22.5

Show the numbers
Orkney Islands and Highland, per person in the age group
MeasureOrkney IslandsHighlandHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,381£4,399£4,155Estimated£4,697£4,717£4,456EstimatedHighland
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£11,866£11,916£11,255Estimated£12,409£12,462£11,771EstimatedHighland
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,374£1,380£1,304Estimated£1,725£1,732£1,636EstimatedHighland
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£10,889£10,936£10,329£11,412£11,461£10,825Highland
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£323£324£306£356£358£338Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£636£639£603Estimated£621£624£589EstimatedOrkney Islands
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£18£18£17Estimated£19£20£18EstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£426£428£404Estimated£495£497£470EstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£123£124£117Estimated£141£142£134EstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£84£85£80Estimated£101£101£96EstimatedHighland
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£956£960£907£1,294£1,300£1,228Highland
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£129£130£123£147£148£139Highland
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£329£330£312£320£322£304Orkney Islands
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£0.97£0.97£0.92£3.50£3.52£3.32Highland
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£4.01£4.02£3.80£5.55£5.57£5.26Highland
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£8.00£8.04£7.59Estimated£7.73£7.76£7.33EstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026995.31,002.6Highland
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 202674.391.3Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026142.7137.8Orkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202663.677.4Highland
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026128.7162.8Highland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202619.0Estimated22.5EstimatedHighland

Per resident

Orkney Islands is higher on 6 of 22 measures, and Highland on 16. 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

Orkney Islands Highland

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £4,381, Highland £4,697Highland: £4,697Orkney Islands: £4,381Highland: £4,717Orkney Islands: £4,399Highland: £4,456Orkney Islands: £4,155

    £4,381£4,399£4,155Highland is higher£4,697£4,717£4,456

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £2,891, Highland £2,872Highland: £2,872Orkney Islands: £2,891Highland: £2,885Orkney Islands: £2,903Highland: £2,725Orkney Islands: £2,742

    £2,891£2,903£2,742Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£2,872£2,885£2,725

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £803, Highland £1,034Highland: £1,034Orkney Islands: £803Highland: £1,038Orkney Islands: £806Highland: £981Orkney Islands: £761

    £803£806£761Highland is higher£1,034£1,038£981

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Orkney Islands £2,653, Highland £2,642Highland: £2,642Orkney Islands: £2,653Highland: £2,653Orkney Islands: £2,664Highland: £2,506Orkney Islands: £2,516

    £2,653£2,664£2,516Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£2,642£2,653£2,506

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Orkney Islands £79, Highland £83Highland: £83Orkney Islands: £79Highland: £83Orkney Islands: £79Highland: £78Orkney Islands: £75

    £79£79£75Highland is higher£83£83£78

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £155, Highland £144Highland: £144Orkney Islands: £155Highland: £144Orkney Islands: £156Highland: £136Orkney Islands: £147

    £155£156£147Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£144£144£136

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

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £4.30, Highland £4.51Highland: £4.51Orkney Islands: £4.30Highland: £4.53Orkney Islands: £4.32Highland: £4.28Orkney Islands: £4.08

    £4.30£4.32£4.08Highland is higher£4.51£4.53£4.28

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £426, Highland £495Highland: £495Orkney Islands: £426Highland: £497Orkney Islands: £428Highland: £470Orkney Islands: £404

    £426£428£404Highland is higher£495£497£470

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £123, Highland £141Highland: £141Orkney Islands: £123Highland: £142Orkney Islands: £124Highland: £134Orkney Islands: £117

    £123£124£117Highland is higher£141£142£134

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £49, Highland £60Highland: £60Orkney Islands: £49Highland: £61Orkney Islands: £49Highland: £57Orkney Islands: £47

    £49£49£47Highland is higher£60£61£57

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Orkney Islands £559, Highland £776Highland: £776Orkney Islands: £559Highland: £779Orkney Islands: £561Highland: £736Orkney Islands: £530

    £559£561£530Highland is higher£776£779£736

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Orkney Islands £129, Highland £147Highland: £147Orkney Islands: £129Highland: £148Orkney Islands: £130Highland: £139Orkney Islands: £123

    £129£130£123Highland is higher£147£148£139

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Orkney Islands £192, Highland £192Highland: £192Orkney Islands: £192Highland: £193Orkney Islands: £193Highland: £182Orkney Islands: £182

    £192£193£182Highland is higherDepends on how you count£192£193£182

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Orkney Islands £0.57, Highland £2.10Highland: £2.10Orkney Islands: £0.57Highland: £2.11Orkney Islands: £0.57Highland: £1.99Orkney Islands: £0.54

    £0.57£0.57£0.54Highland is higher£2.10£2.11£1.99

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Orkney Islands £2.34, Highland £3.32Highland: £3.32Orkney Islands: £2.34Highland: £3.34Orkney Islands: £2.35Highland: £3.15Orkney Islands: £2.22

    £2.34£2.35£2.22Highland is higher£3.32£3.34£3.15

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £8.00, Highland £7.73Highland: £7.73Orkney Islands: £8.00Highland: £7.76Orkney Islands: £8.04Highland: £7.33Orkney Islands: £7.59

    £8.00£8.04£7.59Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£7.73£7.76£7.33

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 242.5, Highland 232.1Highland: 232.1Orkney Islands: 242.5

    242.5Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count232.1

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 18.1, Highland 21.1Highland: 21.1Orkney Islands: 18.1

    18.1Highland is higher21.1

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 34.8, Highland 31.9Highland: 31.9Orkney Islands: 34.8

    34.8Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count31.9

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 63.6, Highland 77.4Highland: 77.4Orkney Islands: 63.6

    63.6Highland is higher77.4

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 75.2, Highland 97.6Highland: 97.6Orkney Islands: 75.2

    75.2Highland is higher97.6

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 11.1, Highland 13.5Highland: 13.5Orkney Islands: 11.1

    11.1Highland is higher13.5

Show the numbers
Orkney Islands and Highland, per resident
MeasureOrkney IslandsHighlandHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,381£4,399£4,155Estimated£4,697£4,717£4,456EstimatedHighland
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£2,891£2,903£2,742Estimated£2,872£2,885£2,725EstimatedOrkney Islands
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£803£806£761Estimated£1,034£1,038£981EstimatedHighland
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£2,653£2,664£2,516£2,642£2,653£2,506Orkney Islands
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£79£79£75£83£83£78Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£155£156£147Estimated£144£144£136EstimatedOrkney Islands
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£4.30£4.32£4.08Estimated£4.51£4.53£4.28EstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£426£428£404Estimated£495£497£470EstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£123£124£117Estimated£141£142£134EstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£49£49£47Estimated£60£61£57EstimatedHighland
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£559£561£530£776£779£736Highland
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£129£130£123£147£148£139Highland
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£192£193£182£192£193£182Highland
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£0.57£0.57£0.54£2.10£2.11£1.99Highland
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£2.34£2.35£2.22£3.32£3.34£3.15Highland
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£8.00£8.04£7.59Estimated£7.73£7.76£7.33EstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026242.5232.1Orkney Islands
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202618.121.1Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202634.831.9Orkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202663.677.4Highland
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 202675.297.6Highland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202611.1Estimated13.5EstimatedHighland

Total

Orkney Islands is higher on 0 of 22 measures, and Highland on 22. 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

Orkney Islands Highland

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Orkney Islands £96.4m, Highland £1.1bnHighland: £1.1bnOrkney Islands: £96.4mHighland: £1.1bnOrkney Islands: £96.8mHighland: £1.1bnOrkney Islands: £91.4m

    £96.4m£96.8m£91.4mHighland is higher£1.1bn

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Orkney Islands £63.6m, Highland £682.4mHighland: £682.4mOrkney Islands: £63.6mHighland: £685.3mOrkney Islands: £63.9mHighland: £647.3mOrkney Islands: £60.3m

    £63.6m£63.9m£60.3mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£682.4m£685.3m£647.3m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Orkney Islands £17.7m, Highland £245.6mHighland: £245.6mOrkney Islands: £17.7mHighland: £246.6mOrkney Islands: £17.7mHighland: £232.9mOrkney Islands: £16.8m

    £17.7m£17.7m£16.8mHighland is higher£245.6m£246.6m£232.9m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Orkney Islands £58.4m, Highland £627.6mHighland: £627.6mOrkney Islands: £58.4mHighland: £630.2mOrkney Islands: £58.6mHighland: £595.3mOrkney Islands: £55.4m

    £58.4m£58.6m£55.4mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£627.6m£630.2m£595.3m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Orkney Islands £1.7m, Highland £19.6mHighland: £19.6mOrkney Islands: £1.7mHighland: £19.7mOrkney Islands: £1.7mHighland: £18.6mOrkney Islands: £1.6m

    £1.7m£1.7m£1.6mHighland is higher£19.6m£19.7m£18.6m

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands £3.4m, Highland £34.2mHighland: £34.2mOrkney Islands: £3.4mHighland: £34.3mOrkney Islands: £3.4mHighland: £32.4mOrkney Islands: £3.2m

    £3.4m£3.4m£3.2mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£34.2m£34.3m£32.4m

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

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, total: Orkney Islands £0.09m, Highland £1.1mHighland: £1.1mOrkney Islands: £0.09mHighland: £1.1mOrkney Islands: £0.10mHighland: £1.0mOrkney Islands: £0.09m

    £0.09m£0.10m£0.09mHighland is higher£1.1m£1.1m£1.0m

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands £9.4m, Highland £117.7mHighland: £117.7mOrkney Islands: £9.4mHighland: £118.2mOrkney Islands: £9.4mHighland: £111.6mOrkney Islands: £8.9m

    £9.4m£9.4m£8.9mHighland is higher£117.7m£118.2m£111.6m

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands £2.7m, Highland £33.5mHighland: £33.5mOrkney Islands: £2.7mHighland: £33.7mOrkney Islands: £2.7mHighland: £31.8mOrkney Islands: £2.6m

    £2.7m£2.7m£2.6mHighland is higher£33.5m£33.7m£31.8m

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Orkney Islands £1.1m, Highland £14.4mHighland: £14.4mOrkney Islands: £1.1mHighland: £14.4mOrkney Islands: £1.1mHighland: £13.6mOrkney Islands: £1.0m

    £1.1m£1.1m£1.0mHighland is higher£14.4m£14.4m£13.6m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Orkney Islands £12.3m, Highland £184.3mHighland: £184.3mOrkney Islands: £12.3mHighland: £185.1mOrkney Islands: £12.3mHighland: £174.8mOrkney Islands: £11.7m

    £12.3m£12.3m£11.7mHighland is higher£184.3m£185.1m£174.8m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Orkney Islands £2.8m, Highland £34.9mHighland: £34.9mOrkney Islands: £2.8mHighland: £35.0mOrkney Islands: £2.9mHighland: £33.1mOrkney Islands: £2.7m

    £2.8m£2.9m£2.7mHighland is higher£34.9m£35.0m£33.1m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Orkney Islands £4.2m, Highland £45.6mHighland: £45.6mOrkney Islands: £4.2mHighland: £45.8mOrkney Islands: £4.2mHighland: £43.3mOrkney Islands: £4.0m

    £4.2m£4.2m£4.0mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£45.6m£45.8m£43.3m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Orkney Islands £0.01m, Highland £0.50mHighland: £0.50mOrkney Islands: £0.01mHighland: £0.50mOrkney Islands: £0.01mHighland: £0.47mOrkney Islands: £0.01m

    £0.01mHighland is higher£0.50m£0.50m£0.47m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Orkney Islands £0.05m, Highland £0.79mHighland: £0.79mOrkney Islands: £0.05mHighland: £0.79mOrkney Islands: £0.05mHighland: £0.75mOrkney Islands: £0.05m

    £0.05mHighland is higher£0.79m£0.79m£0.75m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Orkney Islands £0.18m, Highland £1.8mHighland: £1.8mOrkney Islands: £0.18mHighland: £1.8mOrkney Islands: £0.18mHighland: £1.7mOrkney Islands: £0.17m

    £0.18m£0.18m£0.17mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£1.8m£1.8m£1.7m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Orkney Islands 5,335, Highland 55,132Highland: 55,132Orkney Islands: 5,335

    5,335Highland is higherDepends on how you count55,132

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Orkney Islands 398, Highland 5,020Highland: 5,020Orkney Islands: 398

    398Highland is higher5,020

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands 765, Highland 7,575Highland: 7,575Orkney Islands: 765

    765Highland is higherDepends on how you count7,575

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands 1,400, Highland 18,395Highland: 18,395Orkney Islands: 1,400

    1,400Highland is higher18,395

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Orkney Islands 1,654, Highland 23,186Highland: 23,186Orkney Islands: 1,654

    1,654Highland is higher23,186

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Orkney Islands 244, Highland 3,202Highland: 3,202Orkney Islands: 244

    244Highland is higher3,202

Show the numbers
Orkney Islands and Highland, total
MeasureOrkney IslandsHighlandHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£96.4m£96.8m£91.4mEstimated£1.1bnEstimatedHighland
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£63.6m£63.9m£60.3mEstimated£682.4m£685.3m£647.3mEstimatedHighland
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£17.7m£17.7m£16.8mEstimated£245.6m£246.6m£232.9mEstimatedHighland
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£58.4m£58.6m£55.4m£627.6m£630.2m£595.3mHighland
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£1.7m£1.7m£1.6m£19.6m£19.7m£18.6mHighland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£3.4m£3.4m£3.2mEstimated£34.2m£34.3m£32.4mEstimatedHighland
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.09m£0.10m£0.09mEstimated£1.1m£1.1m£1.0mEstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£9.4m£9.4m£8.9mEstimated£117.7m£118.2m£111.6mEstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£2.7m£2.7m£2.6mEstimated£33.5m£33.7m£31.8mEstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£1.1m£1.1m£1.0mEstimated£14.4m£14.4m£13.6mEstimatedHighland
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£12.3m£12.3m£11.7m£184.3m£185.1m£174.8mHighland
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£2.8m£2.9m£2.7m£34.9m£35.0m£33.1mHighland
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£4.2m£4.2m£4.0m£45.6m£45.8m£43.3mHighland
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£0.01m£0.50m£0.50m£0.47mHighland
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.05m£0.79m£0.79m£0.75mHighland
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£0.18m£0.18m£0.17mEstimated£1.8m£1.8m£1.7mEstimatedHighland
State Pensiontotal, March 20265,33555,132Highland
Pension Credittotal, March 20263985,020Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20267657,575Highland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 20261,40018,395Highland
Universal Credittotal, May 20261,65423,186Highland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 2026244Estimated3,202EstimatedHighland

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.