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Orkney Islands and Scottish Borders

22,000 and 117,190 residents (mid-2024).

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

On 6 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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Orkney Islands 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

Orkney Islands is higher on 6 of 22 measures, and Scottish Borders 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 Scottish Borders

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £4,381, Scottish Borders £4,986Scottish Borders: £4,986Orkney Islands: £4,381Scottish Borders: £5,007Orkney Islands: £4,399Scottish Borders: £4,729Orkney Islands: £4,155

    £4,381£4,399£4,155Scottish Borders is higher£4,986£5,007£4,729

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

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands £11,866, Scottish Borders £12,258Scottish Borders: £12,258Orkney Islands: £11,866Scottish Borders: £12,310Orkney Islands: £11,916Scottish Borders: £11,627Orkney Islands: £11,255

    £11,866£11,916£11,255Scottish Borders is higher£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: Orkney Islands £1,374, Scottish Borders £1,832Scottish Borders: £1,832Orkney Islands: £1,374Scottish Borders: £1,840Orkney Islands: £1,380Scottish Borders: £1,738Orkney Islands: £1,304

    £1,374£1,380£1,304Scottish Borders is higher£1,832£1,840£1,738

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

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands £10,889, Scottish Borders £11,419Scottish Borders: £11,419Orkney Islands: £10,889Scottish Borders: £11,467Orkney Islands: £10,936Scottish Borders: £10,831Orkney Islands: £10,329

    £10,889£10,936£10,329Scottish Borders is higher£11,419£11,467£10,831

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

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands £323, Scottish Borders £294Scottish Borders: £294Orkney Islands: £323Scottish Borders: £295Orkney Islands: £324Scottish Borders: £279Orkney Islands: £306

    £323£324£306Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£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: Orkney Islands £636, Scottish Borders £529Scottish Borders: £529Orkney Islands: £636Scottish Borders: £531Orkney Islands: £639Scottish Borders: £501Orkney Islands: £603

    £636£639£603Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£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: Orkney Islands £18, Scottish Borders £16Scottish Borders: £16Orkney Islands: £18Scottish Borders: £16Orkney Islands: £18Scottish Borders: £15Orkney Islands: £17

    £18£18£17Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£16£16£15

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £426, Scottish Borders £449Scottish Borders: £449Orkney Islands: £426Scottish Borders: £451Orkney Islands: £428Scottish Borders: £426Orkney Islands: £404

    £426£428£404Scottish Borders 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: Orkney Islands £123, Scottish Borders £121Scottish Borders: £121Orkney Islands: £123Scottish Borders: £122Orkney Islands: £124Scottish Borders: £115Orkney Islands: £117

    £123£124£117Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£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: Orkney Islands £84, Scottish Borders £98Scottish Borders: £98Orkney Islands: £84Scottish Borders: £99Orkney Islands: £85Scottish Borders: £93Orkney Islands: £80

    £84£85£80Scottish Borders is higher£98£99£93

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

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £956, Scottish Borders £1,354Scottish Borders: £1,354Orkney Islands: £956Scottish Borders: £1,359Orkney Islands: £960Scottish Borders: £1,284Orkney Islands: £907

    £956£960£907Scottish Borders is higher£1,354£1,359£1,284

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Orkney Islands £129, Scottish Borders £192Scottish Borders: £192Orkney Islands: £129Scottish Borders: £192Orkney Islands: £130Scottish Borders: £182Orkney Islands: £123

    £129£130£123Scottish Borders is higher£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: Orkney Islands £329, Scottish Borders £368Scottish Borders: £368Orkney Islands: £329Scottish Borders: £369Orkney Islands: £330Scottish Borders: £349Orkney Islands: £312

    £329£330£312Scottish Borders is higher£368£369£349

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

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £0.97, Scottish Borders £6.40Scottish Borders: £6.40Orkney Islands: £0.97Scottish Borders: £6.43Orkney Islands: £0.97Scottish Borders: £6.07Orkney Islands: £0.92

    £0.97£0.97£0.92Scottish Borders is higher£6.40£6.43£6.07

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

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £4.01, Scottish Borders £5.74Scottish Borders: £5.74Orkney Islands: £4.01Scottish Borders: £5.76Orkney Islands: £4.02Scottish Borders: £5.44Orkney Islands: £3.80

    £4.01£4.02£3.80Scottish Borders is higher£5.74£5.76£5.44

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £8.00, Scottish Borders £7.17Scottish Borders: £7.17Orkney Islands: £8.00Scottish Borders: £7.20Orkney Islands: £8.04Scottish Borders: £6.80Orkney Islands: £7.59

    £8.00£8.04£7.59Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£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: Orkney Islands 995.3, Scottish Borders 1,006.0Scottish Borders: 1,006.0Orkney Islands: 995.3

    995.3Scottish Borders is higher1,006.0

  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, Scottish Borders 82.4Scottish Borders: 82.4Orkney Islands: 74.3

    74.3Scottish Borders is higher82.4

  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: Orkney Islands 142.7, Scottish Borders 134.0Scottish Borders: 134.0Orkney Islands: 142.7

    142.7Orkney Islands 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: Orkney Islands 63.6, Scottish Borders 71.6Scottish Borders: 71.6Orkney Islands: 63.6

    63.6Scottish Borders 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: Orkney Islands 128.7, Scottish Borders 178.6Scottish Borders: 178.6Orkney Islands: 128.7

    128.7Scottish Borders is higher178.6

  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: Orkney Islands 19.0, Scottish Borders 23.5Scottish Borders: 23.5Orkney Islands: 19.0

    19.0Scottish Borders is higher23.5

Show the numbers
Orkney Islands and Scottish Borders, per person in the age group
MeasureOrkney IslandsScottish BordersHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,381£4,399£4,155Estimated£4,986£5,007£4,729EstimatedScottish Borders
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£11,866£11,916£11,255Estimated£12,258£12,310£11,627EstimatedScottish Borders
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,374£1,380£1,304Estimated£1,832£1,840£1,738EstimatedScottish Borders
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£10,889£10,936£10,329£11,419£11,467£10,831Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£323£324£306£294£295£279Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£636£639£603Estimated£529£531£501EstimatedOrkney Islands
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£18£18£17Estimated£16£16£15EstimatedOrkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£426£428£404Estimated£449£451£426EstimatedScottish Borders
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£123£124£117Estimated£121£122£115EstimatedOrkney Islands
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£84£85£80Estimated£98£99£93EstimatedScottish Borders
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£956£960£907£1,354£1,359£1,284Scottish Borders
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£129£130£123£192£192£182Scottish Borders
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£329£330£312£368£369£349Scottish Borders
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£0.97£0.97£0.92£6.40£6.43£6.07Scottish Borders
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£4.01£4.02£3.80£5.74£5.76£5.44Scottish Borders
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£8.00£8.04£7.59Estimated£7.17£7.20£6.80EstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026995.31,006.0Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 202674.382.4Scottish Borders
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026142.7134.0Orkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202663.671.6Scottish Borders
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026128.7178.6Scottish Borders
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202619.0Estimated23.5EstimatedScottish Borders

Per resident

Orkney Islands is higher on 6 of 22 measures, and Scottish Borders 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 Scottish Borders

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £4,381, Scottish Borders £4,986Scottish Borders: £4,986Orkney Islands: £4,381Scottish Borders: £5,007Orkney Islands: £4,399Scottish Borders: £4,729Orkney Islands: £4,155

    £4,381£4,399£4,155Scottish Borders is higher£4,986£5,007£4,729

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £2,891, Scottish Borders £3,165Scottish Borders: £3,165Orkney Islands: £2,891Scottish Borders: £3,178Orkney Islands: £2,903Scottish Borders: £3,002Orkney Islands: £2,742

    £2,891£2,903£2,742Scottish Borders is higher£3,165£3,178£3,002

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £803, Scottish Borders £1,052Scottish Borders: £1,052Orkney Islands: £803Scottish Borders: £1,056Orkney Islands: £806Scottish Borders: £998Orkney Islands: £761

    £803£806£761Scottish Borders is higher£1,052£1,056£998

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Orkney Islands £2,653, Scottish Borders £2,948Scottish Borders: £2,948Orkney Islands: £2,653Scottish Borders: £2,961Orkney Islands: £2,664Scottish Borders: £2,797Orkney Islands: £2,516

    £2,653£2,664£2,516Scottish Borders is higher£2,948£2,961£2,797

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Orkney Islands £79, Scottish Borders £76Scottish Borders: £76Orkney Islands: £79Scottish Borders: £76Orkney Islands: £79Scottish Borders: £72Orkney Islands: £75

    £79£79£75Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£76£76£72

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £155, Scottish Borders £137Scottish Borders: £137Orkney Islands: £155Scottish Borders: £137Orkney Islands: £156Scottish Borders: £129Orkney Islands: £147

    £155£156£147Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£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: Orkney Islands £4.30, Scottish Borders £4.15Scottish Borders: £4.15Orkney Islands: £4.30Scottish Borders: £4.17Orkney Islands: £4.32Scottish Borders: £3.94Orkney Islands: £4.08

    £4.30£4.32£4.08Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£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: Orkney Islands £426, Scottish Borders £449Scottish Borders: £449Orkney Islands: £426Scottish Borders: £451Orkney Islands: £428Scottish Borders: £426Orkney Islands: £404

    £426£428£404Scottish Borders 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: Orkney Islands £123, Scottish Borders £121Scottish Borders: £121Orkney Islands: £123Scottish Borders: £122Orkney Islands: £124Scottish Borders: £115Orkney Islands: £117

    £123£124£117Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£121£122£115

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £49, Scottish Borders £56Scottish Borders: £56Orkney Islands: £49Scottish Borders: £57Orkney Islands: £49Scottish Borders: £53Orkney Islands: £47

    £49£49£47Scottish Borders is higher£56£57£53

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Orkney Islands £559, Scottish Borders £777Scottish Borders: £777Orkney Islands: £559Scottish Borders: £780Orkney Islands: £561Scottish Borders: £737Orkney Islands: £530

    £559£561£530Scottish Borders is higher£777£780£737

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Orkney Islands £129, Scottish Borders £192Scottish Borders: £192Orkney Islands: £129Scottish Borders: £192Orkney Islands: £130Scottish Borders: £182Orkney Islands: £123

    £129£130£123Scottish Borders is higher£192£192£182

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

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

    £192£193£182Scottish Borders is higher£211£212£200

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Orkney Islands £0.57, Scottish Borders £3.68Scottish Borders: £3.68Orkney Islands: £0.57Scottish Borders: £3.69Orkney Islands: £0.57Scottish Borders: £3.49Orkney Islands: £0.54

    £0.57£0.57£0.54Scottish Borders is higher£3.68£3.69£3.49

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Orkney Islands £2.34, Scottish Borders £3.29Scottish Borders: £3.29Orkney Islands: £2.34Scottish Borders: £3.30Orkney Islands: £2.35Scottish Borders: £3.12Orkney Islands: £2.22

    £2.34£2.35£2.22Scottish Borders is higher£3.29£3.30£3.12

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £8.00, Scottish Borders £7.17Scottish Borders: £7.17Orkney Islands: £8.00Scottish Borders: £7.20Orkney Islands: £8.04Scottish Borders: £6.80Orkney Islands: £7.59

    £8.00£8.04£7.59Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£7.17£7.20£6.80

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 242.5, Scottish Borders 259.7Scottish Borders: 259.7Orkney Islands: 242.5

    242.5Scottish Borders is higher259.7

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 18.1, Scottish Borders 21.3Scottish Borders: 21.3Orkney Islands: 18.1

    18.1Scottish Borders is higher21.3

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 34.8, Scottish Borders 34.6Scottish Borders: 34.6Orkney Islands: 34.8

    34.8Orkney Islands 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: Orkney Islands 63.6, Scottish Borders 71.6Scottish Borders: 71.6Orkney Islands: 63.6

    63.6Scottish Borders is higher71.6

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 75.2, Scottish Borders 102.5Scottish Borders: 102.5Orkney Islands: 75.2

    75.2Scottish Borders is higher102.5

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

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

    11.1Scottish Borders is higher13.5

Show the numbers
Orkney Islands and Scottish Borders, per resident
MeasureOrkney IslandsScottish BordersHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,381£4,399£4,155Estimated£4,986£5,007£4,729EstimatedScottish Borders
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£2,891£2,903£2,742Estimated£3,165£3,178£3,002EstimatedScottish Borders
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£803£806£761Estimated£1,052£1,056£998EstimatedScottish Borders
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£2,653£2,664£2,516£2,948£2,961£2,797Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£79£79£75£76£76£72Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£155£156£147Estimated£137£137£129EstimatedOrkney Islands
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£4.30£4.32£4.08Estimated£4.15£4.17£3.94EstimatedOrkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£426£428£404Estimated£449£451£426EstimatedScottish Borders
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£123£124£117Estimated£121£122£115EstimatedOrkney Islands
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£49£49£47Estimated£56£57£53EstimatedScottish Borders
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£559£561£530£777£780£737Scottish Borders
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£129£130£123£192£192£182Scottish Borders
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£192£193£182£211£212£200Scottish Borders
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£0.57£0.57£0.54£3.68£3.69£3.49Scottish Borders
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£2.34£2.35£2.22£3.29£3.30£3.12Scottish Borders
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£8.00£8.04£7.59Estimated£7.17£7.20£6.80EstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026242.5259.7Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202618.121.3Scottish Borders
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202634.834.6Orkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202663.671.6Scottish Borders
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 202675.2102.5Scottish Borders
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202611.1Estimated13.5EstimatedScottish Borders

Total

Orkney Islands is higher on 0 of 22 measures, and Scottish Borders 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 Scottish Borders

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Orkney Islands £96.4m, Scottish Borders £584.3mScottish Borders: £584.3mOrkney Islands: £96.4mScottish Borders: £586.8mOrkney Islands: £96.8mScottish Borders: £554.2mOrkney Islands: £91.4m

    £96.4m£96.8m£91.4mScottish Borders is higher£584.3m£586.8m£554.2m

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Orkney Islands £63.6m, Scottish Borders £370.9mScottish Borders: £370.9mOrkney Islands: £63.6mScottish Borders: £372.5mOrkney Islands: £63.9mScottish Borders: £351.8mOrkney Islands: £60.3m

    £63.6m£63.9m£60.3mScottish Borders is higher£370.9m£372.5m£351.8m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Orkney Islands £17.7m, Scottish Borders £123.2mScottish Borders: £123.2mOrkney Islands: £17.7mScottish Borders: £123.8mOrkney Islands: £17.7mScottish Borders: £116.9mOrkney Islands: £16.8m

    £17.7m£17.7m£16.8mScottish Borders is higher£123.2m£123.8m£116.9m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Orkney Islands £58.4m, Scottish Borders £345.5mScottish Borders: £345.5mOrkney Islands: £58.4mScottish Borders: £347.0mOrkney Islands: £58.6mScottish Borders: £327.7mOrkney Islands: £55.4m

    £58.4m£58.6m£55.4mScottish Borders is higher£345.5m£347.0m£327.7m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Orkney Islands £1.7m, Scottish Borders £8.9mScottish Borders: £8.9mOrkney Islands: £1.7mScottish Borders: £8.9mOrkney Islands: £1.7mScottish Borders: £8.4mOrkney Islands: £1.6m

    £1.7m£1.7m£1.6mScottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£8.9m£8.9m£8.4m

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands £3.4m, Scottish Borders £16.0mScottish Borders: £16.0mOrkney Islands: £3.4mScottish Borders: £16.1mOrkney Islands: £3.4mScottish Borders: £15.2mOrkney Islands: £3.2m

    £3.4m£3.4m£3.2mScottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£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: Orkney Islands £0.09m, Scottish Borders £0.49mScottish Borders: £0.49mOrkney Islands: £0.09mScottish Borders: £0.49mOrkney Islands: £0.10mScottish Borders: £0.46mOrkney Islands: £0.09m

    £0.09m£0.10m£0.09mScottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£0.49m£0.49m£0.46m

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands £9.4m, Scottish Borders £52.6mScottish Borders: £52.6mOrkney Islands: £9.4mScottish Borders: £52.9mOrkney Islands: £9.4mScottish Borders: £49.9mOrkney Islands: £8.9m

    £9.4m£9.4m£8.9mScottish Borders 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: Orkney Islands £2.7m, Scottish Borders £14.2mScottish Borders: £14.2mOrkney Islands: £2.7mScottish Borders: £14.3mOrkney Islands: £2.7mScottish Borders: £13.5mOrkney Islands: £2.6m

    £2.7m£2.7m£2.6mScottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£14.2m£14.3m£13.5m

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Orkney Islands £1.1m, Scottish Borders £6.6mScottish Borders: £6.6mOrkney Islands: £1.1mScottish Borders: £6.6mOrkney Islands: £1.1mScottish Borders: £6.3mOrkney Islands: £1.0m

    £1.1m£1.1m£1.0mScottish Borders is higher£6.6m£6.6m£6.3m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Orkney Islands £12.3m, Scottish Borders £91.1mScottish Borders: £91.1mOrkney Islands: £12.3mScottish Borders: £91.5mOrkney Islands: £12.3mScottish Borders: £86.4mOrkney Islands: £11.7m

    £12.3m£12.3m£11.7mScottish Borders is higher£91.1m£91.5m£86.4m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Orkney Islands £2.8m, Scottish Borders £22.5mScottish Borders: £22.5mOrkney Islands: £2.8mScottish Borders: £22.6mOrkney Islands: £2.9mScottish Borders: £21.3mOrkney Islands: £2.7m

    £2.8m£2.9m£2.7mScottish Borders is higher£22.5m£22.6m£21.3m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Orkney Islands £4.2m, Scottish Borders £24.8mScottish Borders: £24.8mOrkney Islands: £4.2mScottish Borders: £24.9mOrkney Islands: £4.2mScottish Borders: £23.5mOrkney Islands: £4.0m

    £4.2m£4.2m£4.0mScottish Borders is higher£24.8m£24.9m£23.5m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Orkney Islands £0.01m, Scottish Borders £0.43mScottish Borders: £0.43mOrkney Islands: £0.01mScottish Borders: £0.43mOrkney Islands: £0.01mScottish Borders: £0.41mOrkney Islands: £0.01m

    £0.01mScottish Borders is higher£0.43m£0.43m£0.41m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Orkney Islands £0.05m, Scottish Borders £0.39mScottish Borders: £0.39mOrkney Islands: £0.05mScottish Borders: £0.39mOrkney Islands: £0.05mScottish Borders: £0.37mOrkney Islands: £0.05m

    £0.05mScottish Borders is higher£0.39m£0.39m£0.37m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Orkney Islands £0.18m, Scottish Borders £0.84mScottish Borders: £0.84mOrkney Islands: £0.18mScottish Borders: £0.84mOrkney Islands: £0.18mScottish Borders: £0.80mOrkney Islands: £0.17m

    £0.18m£0.18m£0.17mScottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£0.84m£0.84m£0.80m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Orkney Islands 5,335, Scottish Borders 30,439Scottish Borders: 30,439Orkney Islands: 5,335

    5,335Scottish Borders is higher30,439

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Orkney Islands 398, Scottish Borders 2,493Scottish Borders: 2,493Orkney Islands: 398

    398Scottish Borders is higher2,493

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands 765, Scottish Borders 4,055Scottish Borders: 4,055Orkney Islands: 765

    765Scottish Borders 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: Orkney Islands 1,400, Scottish Borders 8,385Scottish Borders: 8,385Orkney Islands: 1,400

    1,400Scottish Borders is higher8,385

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Orkney Islands 1,654, Scottish Borders 12,015Scottish Borders: 12,015Orkney Islands: 1,654

    1,654Scottish Borders is higher12,015

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Orkney Islands 244, Scottish Borders 1,583Scottish Borders: 1,583Orkney Islands: 244

    244Scottish Borders is higher1,583

Show the numbers
Orkney Islands and Scottish Borders, total
MeasureOrkney IslandsScottish BordersHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£96.4m£96.8m£91.4mEstimated£584.3m£586.8m£554.2mEstimatedScottish Borders
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£63.6m£63.9m£60.3mEstimated£370.9m£372.5m£351.8mEstimatedScottish Borders
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£17.7m£17.7m£16.8mEstimated£123.2m£123.8m£116.9mEstimatedScottish Borders
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£58.4m£58.6m£55.4m£345.5m£347.0m£327.7mScottish Borders
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£1.7m£1.7m£1.6m£8.9m£8.9m£8.4mScottish Borders
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£3.4m£3.4m£3.2mEstimated£16.0m£16.1m£15.2mEstimatedScottish Borders
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.09m£0.10m£0.09mEstimated£0.49m£0.49m£0.46mEstimatedScottish Borders
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£9.4m£9.4m£8.9mEstimated£52.6m£52.9m£49.9mEstimatedScottish Borders
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£2.7m£2.7m£2.6mEstimated£14.2m£14.3m£13.5mEstimatedScottish Borders
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£1.1m£1.1m£1.0mEstimated£6.6m£6.6m£6.3mEstimatedScottish Borders
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£12.3m£12.3m£11.7m£91.1m£91.5m£86.4mScottish Borders
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£2.8m£2.9m£2.7m£22.5m£22.6m£21.3mScottish Borders
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£4.2m£4.2m£4.0m£24.8m£24.9m£23.5mScottish Borders
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£0.01m£0.43m£0.43m£0.41mScottish Borders
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.05m£0.39m£0.39m£0.37mScottish Borders
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£0.18m£0.18m£0.17mEstimated£0.84m£0.84m£0.80mEstimatedScottish Borders
State Pensiontotal, March 20265,33530,439Scottish Borders
Pension Credittotal, March 20263982,493Scottish Borders
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20267654,055Scottish Borders
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 20261,4008,385Scottish Borders
Universal Credittotal, May 20261,65412,015Scottish Borders
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 2026244Estimated1,583EstimatedScottish Borders

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.