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Orkney Islands and Aberdeenshire

22,000 and 265,110 residents (mid-2024).

Orkney Islands is higher than Aberdeenshire on 15 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 17 of 22 per resident and 0 of 22 in total.

On 18 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 Aberdeenshire 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 15 of 22 measures, and Aberdeenshire on 7. 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 Aberdeenshire

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £4,381, Aberdeenshire £3,877Aberdeenshire: £3,877Orkney Islands: £4,381Aberdeenshire: £3,894Orkney Islands: £4,399Aberdeenshire: £3,678Orkney Islands: £4,155

    £4,381£4,399£4,155Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£3,877£3,894£3,678

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

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands £11,866, Aberdeenshire £12,172Aberdeenshire: £12,172Orkney Islands: £11,866Aberdeenshire: £12,224Orkney Islands: £11,916Aberdeenshire: £11,546Orkney Islands: £11,255

    £11,866£11,916£11,255Aberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£12,172£12,224£11,546

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

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £1,374, Aberdeenshire £1,316Aberdeenshire: £1,316Orkney Islands: £1,374Aberdeenshire: £1,322Orkney Islands: £1,380Aberdeenshire: £1,248Orkney Islands: £1,304

    £1,374£1,380£1,304Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£1,316£1,322£1,248

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

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands £10,889, Aberdeenshire £11,568Aberdeenshire: £11,568Orkney Islands: £10,889Aberdeenshire: £11,618Orkney Islands: £10,936Aberdeenshire: £10,973Orkney Islands: £10,329

    £10,889£10,936£10,329Aberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£11,568£11,618£10,973

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

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Orkney Islands £323, Aberdeenshire £223Aberdeenshire: £223Orkney Islands: £323Aberdeenshire: £224Orkney Islands: £324Aberdeenshire: £211Orkney Islands: £306

    £323£324£306Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£223£224£211

  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, Aberdeenshire £369Aberdeenshire: £369Orkney Islands: £636Aberdeenshire: £370Orkney Islands: £639Aberdeenshire: £350Orkney Islands: £603

    £636£639£603Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£369£370£350

  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, Aberdeenshire £12Aberdeenshire: £12Orkney Islands: £18Aberdeenshire: £12Orkney Islands: £18Aberdeenshire: £12Orkney Islands: £17

    £18£18£17Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£12

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £426, Aberdeenshire £311Aberdeenshire: £311Orkney Islands: £426Aberdeenshire: £312Orkney Islands: £428Aberdeenshire: £295Orkney Islands: £404

    £426£428£404Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£311£312£295

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £123, Aberdeenshire £136Aberdeenshire: £136Orkney Islands: £123Aberdeenshire: £137Orkney Islands: £124Aberdeenshire: £129Orkney Islands: £117

    £123£124£117Aberdeenshire is higher£136£137£129

  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, Aberdeenshire £69Aberdeenshire: £69Orkney Islands: £84Aberdeenshire: £69Orkney Islands: £85Aberdeenshire: £65Orkney Islands: £80

    £84£85£80Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£69£69£65

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

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £956, Aberdeenshire £986Aberdeenshire: £986Orkney Islands: £956Aberdeenshire: £990Orkney Islands: £960Aberdeenshire: £935Orkney Islands: £907

    £956£960£907Aberdeenshire is higher£986£990£935

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Orkney Islands £129, Aberdeenshire £96Aberdeenshire: £96Orkney Islands: £129Aberdeenshire: £97Orkney Islands: £130Aberdeenshire: £92Orkney Islands: £123

    £129£130£123Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£96£97£92

  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, Aberdeenshire £254Aberdeenshire: £254Orkney Islands: £329Aberdeenshire: £255Orkney Islands: £330Aberdeenshire: £241Orkney Islands: £312

    £329£330£312Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£254£255£241

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

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £0.97, Aberdeenshire £4.74Aberdeenshire: £4.74Orkney Islands: £0.97Aberdeenshire: £4.76Orkney Islands: £0.97Aberdeenshire: £4.50Orkney Islands: £0.92

    £0.97£0.97£0.92Aberdeenshire is higher£4.74£4.76£4.50

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

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Orkney Islands £4.01, Aberdeenshire £3.39Aberdeenshire: £3.39Orkney Islands: £4.01Aberdeenshire: £3.41Orkney Islands: £4.02Aberdeenshire: £3.22Orkney Islands: £3.80

    £4.01£4.02£3.80Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£3.39£3.41£3.22

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £8.00, Aberdeenshire £8.47Aberdeenshire: £8.47Orkney Islands: £8.00Aberdeenshire: £8.50Orkney Islands: £8.04Aberdeenshire: £8.03Orkney Islands: £7.59

    £8.00£8.04£7.59Aberdeenshire is higher£8.47£8.50£8.03

  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, Aberdeenshire 1,009.0Aberdeenshire: 1,009.0Orkney Islands: 995.3

    995.3Aberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count1,009.0

  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, Aberdeenshire 63.5Aberdeenshire: 63.5Orkney Islands: 74.3

    74.3Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count63.5

  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, Aberdeenshire 103.1Aberdeenshire: 103.1Orkney Islands: 142.7

    142.7Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count103.1

  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, Aberdeenshire 52.3Aberdeenshire: 52.3Orkney Islands: 63.6

    63.6Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count52.3

  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, Aberdeenshire 127.1Aberdeenshire: 127.1Orkney Islands: 128.7

    128.7Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count127.1

  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, Aberdeenshire 17.9Aberdeenshire: 17.9Orkney Islands: 19.0

    19.0Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count17.9

Show the numbers
Orkney Islands and Aberdeenshire, per person in the age group
MeasureOrkney IslandsAberdeenshireHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,381£4,399£4,155Estimated£3,877£3,894£3,678EstimatedOrkney Islands
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£11,866£11,916£11,255Estimated£12,172£12,224£11,546EstimatedAberdeenshire
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,374£1,380£1,304Estimated£1,316£1,322£1,248EstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£10,889£10,936£10,329£11,568£11,618£10,973Aberdeenshire
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£323£324£306£223£224£211Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£636£639£603Estimated£369£370£350EstimatedOrkney Islands
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£18£18£17Estimated£12EstimatedOrkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£426£428£404Estimated£311£312£295EstimatedOrkney Islands
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£123£124£117Estimated£136£137£129EstimatedAberdeenshire
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£84£85£80Estimated£69£69£65EstimatedOrkney Islands
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£956£960£907£986£990£935Aberdeenshire
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£129£130£123£96£97£92Orkney Islands
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£329£330£312£254£255£241Orkney Islands
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£0.97£0.97£0.92£4.74£4.76£4.50Aberdeenshire
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£4.01£4.02£3.80£3.39£3.41£3.22Orkney Islands
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£8.00£8.04£7.59Estimated£8.47£8.50£8.03EstimatedAberdeenshire
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026995.31,009.0Aberdeenshire
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 202674.363.5Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026142.7103.1Orkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202663.652.3Orkney Islands
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026128.7127.1Orkney Islands
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202619.0Estimated17.9EstimatedOrkney Islands

Per resident

Orkney Islands is higher on 17 of 22 measures, and Aberdeenshire on 5. 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 Aberdeenshire

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £4,381, Aberdeenshire £3,877Aberdeenshire: £3,877Orkney Islands: £4,381Aberdeenshire: £3,894Orkney Islands: £4,399Aberdeenshire: £3,678Orkney Islands: £4,155

    £4,381£4,399£4,155Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£3,877£3,894£3,678

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £2,891, Aberdeenshire £2,537Aberdeenshire: £2,537Orkney Islands: £2,891Aberdeenshire: £2,548Orkney Islands: £2,903Aberdeenshire: £2,407Orkney Islands: £2,742

    £2,891£2,903£2,742Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£2,537£2,548£2,407

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £803, Aberdeenshire £788Aberdeenshire: £788Orkney Islands: £803Aberdeenshire: £792Orkney Islands: £806Aberdeenshire: £748Orkney Islands: £761

    £803£806£761Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£788£792£748

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Orkney Islands £2,653, Aberdeenshire £2,411Aberdeenshire: £2,411Orkney Islands: £2,653Aberdeenshire: £2,422Orkney Islands: £2,664Aberdeenshire: £2,287Orkney Islands: £2,516

    £2,653£2,664£2,516Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£2,411£2,422£2,287

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Orkney Islands £79, Aberdeenshire £46Aberdeenshire: £46Orkney Islands: £79Aberdeenshire: £47Orkney Islands: £79Aberdeenshire: £44Orkney Islands: £75

    £79£79£75Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£46£47£44

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £155, Aberdeenshire £77Aberdeenshire: £77Orkney Islands: £155Aberdeenshire: £77Orkney Islands: £156Aberdeenshire: £73Orkney Islands: £147

    £155£156£147Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£77£77£73

  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, Aberdeenshire £2.54Aberdeenshire: £2.54Orkney Islands: £4.30Aberdeenshire: £2.55Orkney Islands: £4.32Aberdeenshire: £2.41Orkney Islands: £4.08

    £4.30£4.32£4.08Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£2.54£2.55£2.41

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £426, Aberdeenshire £311Aberdeenshire: £311Orkney Islands: £426Aberdeenshire: £312Orkney Islands: £428Aberdeenshire: £295Orkney Islands: £404

    £426£428£404Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£311£312£295

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £123, Aberdeenshire £136Aberdeenshire: £136Orkney Islands: £123Aberdeenshire: £137Orkney Islands: £124Aberdeenshire: £129Orkney Islands: £117

    £123£124£117Aberdeenshire is higher£136£137£129

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Orkney Islands £49, Aberdeenshire £41Aberdeenshire: £41Orkney Islands: £49Aberdeenshire: £41Orkney Islands: £49Aberdeenshire: £39Orkney Islands: £47

    £49£49£47Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£41£41£39

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Orkney Islands £559, Aberdeenshire £590Aberdeenshire: £590Orkney Islands: £559Aberdeenshire: £593Orkney Islands: £561Aberdeenshire: £560Orkney Islands: £530

    £559£561£530Aberdeenshire is higher£590£593£560

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Orkney Islands £129, Aberdeenshire £96Aberdeenshire: £96Orkney Islands: £129Aberdeenshire: £97Orkney Islands: £130Aberdeenshire: £92Orkney Islands: £123

    £129£130£123Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£96£97£92

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Orkney Islands £192, Aberdeenshire £152Aberdeenshire: £152Orkney Islands: £192Aberdeenshire: £153Orkney Islands: £193Aberdeenshire: £144Orkney Islands: £182

    £192£193£182Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£152£153£144

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Orkney Islands £0.57, Aberdeenshire £2.84Aberdeenshire: £2.84Orkney Islands: £0.57Aberdeenshire: £2.85Orkney Islands: £0.57Aberdeenshire: £2.69Orkney Islands: £0.54

    £0.57£0.57£0.54Aberdeenshire is higher£2.84£2.85£2.69

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Orkney Islands £2.34, Aberdeenshire £2.03Aberdeenshire: £2.03Orkney Islands: £2.34Aberdeenshire: £2.04Orkney Islands: £2.35Aberdeenshire: £1.93Orkney Islands: £2.22

    £2.34£2.35£2.22Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£2.03£2.04£1.93

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Orkney Islands £8.00, Aberdeenshire £8.47Aberdeenshire: £8.47Orkney Islands: £8.00Aberdeenshire: £8.50Orkney Islands: £8.04Aberdeenshire: £8.03Orkney Islands: £7.59

    £8.00£8.04£7.59Aberdeenshire is higher£8.47£8.50£8.03

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 242.5, Aberdeenshire 210.3Aberdeenshire: 210.3Orkney Islands: 242.5

    242.5Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count210.3

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 18.1, Aberdeenshire 13.2Aberdeenshire: 13.2Orkney Islands: 18.1

    18.1Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count13.2

  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, Aberdeenshire 21.5Aberdeenshire: 21.5Orkney Islands: 34.8

    34.8Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count21.5

  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, Aberdeenshire 52.3Aberdeenshire: 52.3Orkney Islands: 63.6

    63.6Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count52.3

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Orkney Islands 75.2, Aberdeenshire 76.2Aberdeenshire: 76.2Orkney Islands: 75.2

    75.2Aberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count76.2

  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, Aberdeenshire 10.7Aberdeenshire: 10.7Orkney Islands: 11.1

    11.1Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count10.7

Show the numbers
Orkney Islands and Aberdeenshire, per resident
MeasureOrkney IslandsAberdeenshireHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,381£4,399£4,155Estimated£3,877£3,894£3,678EstimatedOrkney Islands
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£2,891£2,903£2,742Estimated£2,537£2,548£2,407EstimatedOrkney Islands
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£803£806£761Estimated£788£792£748EstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£2,653£2,664£2,516£2,411£2,422£2,287Orkney Islands
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£79£79£75£46£47£44Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£155£156£147Estimated£77£77£73EstimatedOrkney Islands
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£4.30£4.32£4.08Estimated£2.54£2.55£2.41EstimatedOrkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£426£428£404Estimated£311£312£295EstimatedOrkney Islands
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£123£124£117Estimated£136£137£129EstimatedAberdeenshire
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£49£49£47Estimated£41£41£39EstimatedOrkney Islands
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£559£561£530£590£593£560Aberdeenshire
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£129£130£123£96£97£92Orkney Islands
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£192£193£182£152£153£144Orkney Islands
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£0.57£0.57£0.54£2.84£2.85£2.69Aberdeenshire
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£2.34£2.35£2.22£2.03£2.04£1.93Orkney Islands
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£8.00£8.04£7.59Estimated£8.47£8.50£8.03EstimatedAberdeenshire
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026242.5210.3Orkney Islands
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202618.113.2Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202634.821.5Orkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202663.652.3Orkney Islands
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 202675.276.2Aberdeenshire
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202611.1Estimated10.7EstimatedOrkney Islands

Total

Orkney Islands is higher on 0 of 22 measures, and Aberdeenshire 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 Aberdeenshire

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Orkney Islands £96.4m, Aberdeenshire £1.0bnAberdeenshire: £1.0bnOrkney Islands: £96.4mAberdeenshire: £1.0bnOrkney Islands: £96.8mAberdeenshire: £975.0mOrkney Islands: £91.4m

    £96.4m£96.8m£91.4mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£1.0bn£1.0bn£975.0m

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Orkney Islands £63.6m, Aberdeenshire £672.7mAberdeenshire: £672.7mOrkney Islands: £63.6mAberdeenshire: £675.5mOrkney Islands: £63.9mAberdeenshire: £638.0mOrkney Islands: £60.3m

    £63.6m£63.9m£60.3mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£672.7m£675.5m£638.0m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Orkney Islands £17.7m, Aberdeenshire £209.0mAberdeenshire: £209.0mOrkney Islands: £17.7mAberdeenshire: £209.9mOrkney Islands: £17.7mAberdeenshire: £198.3mOrkney Islands: £16.8m

    £17.7m£17.7m£16.8mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£209.0m£209.9m£198.3m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Orkney Islands £58.4m, Aberdeenshire £639.3mAberdeenshire: £639.3mOrkney Islands: £58.4mAberdeenshire: £642.0mOrkney Islands: £58.6mAberdeenshire: £606.4mOrkney Islands: £55.4m

    £58.4m£58.6m£55.4mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£639.3m£642.0m£606.4m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Orkney Islands £1.7m, Aberdeenshire £12.3mAberdeenshire: £12.3mOrkney Islands: £1.7mAberdeenshire: £12.4mOrkney Islands: £1.7mAberdeenshire: £11.7mOrkney Islands: £1.6m

    £1.7m£1.7m£1.6mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£12.3m£12.4m£11.7m

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands £3.4m, Aberdeenshire £20.4mAberdeenshire: £20.4mOrkney Islands: £3.4mAberdeenshire: £20.5mOrkney Islands: £3.4mAberdeenshire: £19.3mOrkney Islands: £3.2m

    £3.4m£3.4m£3.2mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£20.4m£20.5m£19.3m

  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, Aberdeenshire £0.67mAberdeenshire: £0.67mOrkney Islands: £0.09mAberdeenshire: £0.68mOrkney Islands: £0.10mAberdeenshire: £0.64mOrkney Islands: £0.09m

    £0.09m£0.10m£0.09mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£0.67m£0.68m£0.64m

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands £9.4m, Aberdeenshire £82.4mAberdeenshire: £82.4mOrkney Islands: £9.4mAberdeenshire: £82.7mOrkney Islands: £9.4mAberdeenshire: £78.1mOrkney Islands: £8.9m

    £9.4m£9.4m£8.9mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£82.4m£82.7m£78.1m

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands £2.7m, Aberdeenshire £36.1mAberdeenshire: £36.1mOrkney Islands: £2.7mAberdeenshire: £36.2mOrkney Islands: £2.7mAberdeenshire: £34.2mOrkney Islands: £2.6m

    £2.7m£2.7m£2.6mAberdeenshire is higher£36.1m£36.2m£34.2m

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Orkney Islands £1.1m, Aberdeenshire £10.9mAberdeenshire: £10.9mOrkney Islands: £1.1mAberdeenshire: £10.9mOrkney Islands: £1.1mAberdeenshire: £10.3mOrkney Islands: £1.0m

    £1.1m£1.1m£1.0mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£10.9m£10.9m£10.3m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Orkney Islands £12.3m, Aberdeenshire £156.5mAberdeenshire: £156.5mOrkney Islands: £12.3mAberdeenshire: £157.2mOrkney Islands: £12.3mAberdeenshire: £148.5mOrkney Islands: £11.7m

    £12.3m£12.3m£11.7mAberdeenshire is higher£156.5m£157.2m£148.5m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Orkney Islands £2.8m, Aberdeenshire £25.6mAberdeenshire: £25.6mOrkney Islands: £2.8mAberdeenshire: £25.7mOrkney Islands: £2.9mAberdeenshire: £24.3mOrkney Islands: £2.7m

    £2.8m£2.9m£2.7mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£25.6m£25.7m£24.3m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Orkney Islands £4.2m, Aberdeenshire £40.3mAberdeenshire: £40.3mOrkney Islands: £4.2mAberdeenshire: £40.5mOrkney Islands: £4.2mAberdeenshire: £38.2mOrkney Islands: £4.0m

    £4.2m£4.2m£4.0mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£40.3m£40.5m£38.2m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Orkney Islands £0.01m, Aberdeenshire £0.75mAberdeenshire: £0.75mOrkney Islands: £0.01mAberdeenshire: £0.76mOrkney Islands: £0.01mAberdeenshire: £0.71mOrkney Islands: £0.01m

    £0.01mAberdeenshire is higher£0.75m£0.76m£0.71m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Orkney Islands £0.05m, Aberdeenshire £0.54mAberdeenshire: £0.54mOrkney Islands: £0.05mAberdeenshire: £0.54mOrkney Islands: £0.05mAberdeenshire: £0.51mOrkney Islands: £0.05m

    £0.05mAberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count£0.54m£0.54m£0.51m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Orkney Islands £0.18m, Aberdeenshire £2.2mAberdeenshire: £2.2mOrkney Islands: £0.18mAberdeenshire: £2.3mOrkney Islands: £0.18mAberdeenshire: £2.1mOrkney Islands: £0.17m

    £0.18m£0.18m£0.17mAberdeenshire is higher£2.2m£2.3m£2.1m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Orkney Islands 5,335, Aberdeenshire 55,758Aberdeenshire: 55,758Orkney Islands: 5,335

    5,335Aberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count55,758

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Orkney Islands 398, Aberdeenshire 3,508Aberdeenshire: 3,508Orkney Islands: 398

    398Aberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count3,508

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands 765, Aberdeenshire 5,700Aberdeenshire: 5,700Orkney Islands: 765

    765Aberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count5,700

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Orkney Islands 1,400, Aberdeenshire 13,865Aberdeenshire: 13,865Orkney Islands: 1,400

    1,400Aberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count13,865

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Orkney Islands 1,654, Aberdeenshire 20,190Aberdeenshire: 20,190Orkney Islands: 1,654

    1,654Aberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count20,190

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Orkney Islands 244, Aberdeenshire 2,847Aberdeenshire: 2,847Orkney Islands: 244

    244Aberdeenshire is higherDepends on how you count2,847

Show the numbers
Orkney Islands and Aberdeenshire, total
MeasureOrkney IslandsAberdeenshireHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£96.4m£96.8m£91.4mEstimated£1.0bn£1.0bn£975.0mEstimatedAberdeenshire
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£63.6m£63.9m£60.3mEstimated£672.7m£675.5m£638.0mEstimatedAberdeenshire
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£17.7m£17.7m£16.8mEstimated£209.0m£209.9m£198.3mEstimatedAberdeenshire
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£58.4m£58.6m£55.4m£639.3m£642.0m£606.4mAberdeenshire
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£1.7m£1.7m£1.6m£12.3m£12.4m£11.7mAberdeenshire
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£3.4m£3.4m£3.2mEstimated£20.4m£20.5m£19.3mEstimatedAberdeenshire
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.09m£0.10m£0.09mEstimated£0.67m£0.68m£0.64mEstimatedAberdeenshire
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£9.4m£9.4m£8.9mEstimated£82.4m£82.7m£78.1mEstimatedAberdeenshire
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£2.7m£2.7m£2.6mEstimated£36.1m£36.2m£34.2mEstimatedAberdeenshire
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£1.1m£1.1m£1.0mEstimated£10.9m£10.9m£10.3mEstimatedAberdeenshire
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£12.3m£12.3m£11.7m£156.5m£157.2m£148.5mAberdeenshire
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£2.8m£2.9m£2.7m£25.6m£25.7m£24.3mAberdeenshire
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£4.2m£4.2m£4.0m£40.3m£40.5m£38.2mAberdeenshire
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£0.01m£0.75m£0.76m£0.71mAberdeenshire
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.05m£0.54m£0.54m£0.51mAberdeenshire
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£0.18m£0.18m£0.17mEstimated£2.2m£2.3m£2.1mEstimatedAberdeenshire
State Pensiontotal, March 20265,33555,758Aberdeenshire
Pension Credittotal, March 20263983,508Aberdeenshire
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20267655,700Aberdeenshire
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 20261,40013,865Aberdeenshire
Universal Credittotal, May 20261,65420,190Aberdeenshire
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 2026244Estimated2,847EstimatedAberdeenshire

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.