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Shetland Islands and Orkney Islands

22,800 and 22,000 residents (mid-2024).

Shetland Islands is higher than Orkney Islands on 4 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 2 of 21 per resident and 7 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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Shetland Islands and Orkney Islands 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

Shetland Islands is higher on 4 of 22 measures, and Orkney Islands 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

Shetland Islands Orkney Islands

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £2,838, Orkney Islands £4,381Orkney Islands: £4,381Shetland Islands: £2,838Orkney Islands: £4,399Shetland Islands: £2,850Orkney Islands: £4,155Shetland Islands: £2,692

    £2,838£2,850£2,692Orkney Islands is higher£4,381£4,399£4,155

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

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands £6,727, Orkney Islands £11,866Orkney Islands: £11,866Shetland Islands: £6,727Orkney Islands: £11,916Shetland Islands: £6,756Orkney Islands: £11,255Shetland Islands: £6,381

    £6,727£6,756£6,381Orkney Islands is higher£11,866£11,916£11,255

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

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £1,314, Orkney Islands £1,374Orkney Islands: £1,374Shetland Islands: £1,314Orkney Islands: £1,380Shetland Islands: £1,320Orkney Islands: £1,304Shetland Islands: £1,247

    £1,314£1,320£1,247Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£1,374£1,380£1,304

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

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands £5,819, Orkney Islands £10,889Orkney Islands: £10,889Shetland Islands: £5,819Orkney Islands: £10,936Shetland Islands: £5,844Orkney Islands: £10,329Shetland Islands: £5,520

    £5,819£5,844£5,520Orkney Islands is higher£10,889£10,936£10,329

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

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands £255, Orkney Islands £323Orkney Islands: £323Shetland Islands: £255Orkney Islands: £324Shetland Islands: £256Orkney Islands: £306Shetland Islands: £242

    £255£256£242Orkney Islands is higher£323£324£306

  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: Shetland Islands £639, Orkney Islands £636Orkney Islands: £636Shetland Islands: £639Orkney Islands: £639Shetland Islands: £642Orkney Islands: £603Shetland Islands: £606

    £639£642£606Shetland Islands is higherDepends on how you count£636£639£603

  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: Shetland Islands £14, Orkney Islands £18Orkney Islands: £18Shetland Islands: £14Orkney Islands: £18Shetland Islands: £14Orkney Islands: £17Shetland Islands: £13

    £14£14£13Orkney Islands is higher£18£18£17

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £374, Orkney Islands £426Orkney Islands: £426Shetland Islands: £374Orkney Islands: £428Shetland Islands: £376Orkney Islands: £404Shetland Islands: £355

    £374£376£355Orkney Islands is higher£426£428£404

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £132, Orkney Islands £123Orkney Islands: £123Shetland Islands: £132Orkney Islands: £124Shetland Islands: £133Orkney Islands: £117Shetland Islands: £125

    £132£133£125Shetland Islands is higher£123£124£117

  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: Shetland Islands £60, Orkney Islands £84Orkney Islands: £84Shetland Islands: £60Orkney Islands: £85Shetland Islands: £60Orkney Islands: £80Shetland Islands: £57

    £60£60£57Orkney Islands is higher£84£85£80

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

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £936, Orkney Islands £956Orkney Islands: £956Shetland Islands: £936Orkney Islands: £960Shetland Islands: £940Orkney Islands: £907Shetland Islands: £887

    £936£940£887Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£956£960£907

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Shetland Islands £101, Orkney Islands £129Orkney Islands: £129Shetland Islands: £101Orkney Islands: £130Shetland Islands: £101Orkney Islands: £123Shetland Islands: £96

    £101£101£96Orkney Islands is higher£129£130£123

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

    Employment and Support Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £312, Orkney Islands £329Orkney Islands: £329Shetland Islands: £312Orkney Islands: £330Shetland Islands: £314Orkney Islands: £312Shetland Islands: £296

    £312£314£296Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£329£330£312

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

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £2.70, Orkney Islands £0.97Orkney Islands: £0.97Shetland Islands: £2.70Orkney Islands: £0.97Shetland Islands: £2.71Orkney Islands: £0.92Shetland Islands: £2.56

    £2.70£2.71£2.56Shetland Islands is higher£0.97£0.97£0.92

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

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £3.93, Orkney Islands £4.01Orkney Islands: £4.01Shetland Islands: £3.93Orkney Islands: £4.02Shetland Islands: £3.95Orkney Islands: £3.80Shetland Islands: £3.73

    £3.93£3.95£3.73Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£4.01£4.02£3.80

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £1.16, Orkney Islands £8.00Orkney Islands: £8.00Shetland Islands: £1.16Orkney Islands: £8.04Shetland Islands: £1.16Orkney Islands: £7.59Shetland Islands: £1.10

    £1.16£1.16£1.10Orkney Islands is higher£8.00£8.04£7.59

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

    State Pension, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands 985.3, Orkney Islands 995.3Orkney Islands: 995.3Shetland Islands: 985.3

    985.3Orkney Islands is higher995.3

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

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands 64.1, Orkney Islands 74.3Orkney Islands: 74.3Shetland Islands: 64.1

    64.1Orkney Islands is higher74.3

  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: Shetland Islands 159.2, Orkney Islands 142.7Orkney Islands: 142.7Shetland Islands: 159.2

    159.2Shetland Islands is higherDepends on how you count142.7

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 59.4, Orkney Islands 63.6Orkney Islands: 63.6Shetland Islands: 59.4

    59.4Orkney Islands is higher63.6

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

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands 119.5, Orkney Islands 128.7Orkney Islands: 128.7Shetland Islands: 119.5

    119.5Orkney Islands is higher128.7

  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: Shetland Islands 16.4, Orkney Islands 19.0Orkney Islands: 19.0Shetland Islands: 16.4

    16.4Orkney Islands is higher19.0

Show the numbers
Shetland Islands and Orkney Islands, per person in the age group
MeasureShetland IslandsOrkney IslandsHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£2,838£2,850£2,692Estimated£4,381£4,399£4,155EstimatedOrkney Islands
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£6,727£6,756£6,381Estimated£11,866£11,916£11,255EstimatedOrkney Islands
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,314£1,320£1,247Estimated£1,374£1,380£1,304EstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£5,819£5,844£5,520£10,889£10,936£10,329Orkney Islands
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£255£256£242£323£324£306Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£639£642£606Estimated£636£639£603EstimatedShetland Islands
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£14£14£13Estimated£18£18£17EstimatedOrkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£374£376£355Estimated£426£428£404EstimatedOrkney Islands
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£132£133£125Estimated£123£124£117EstimatedShetland Islands
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£60£60£57Estimated£84£85£80EstimatedOrkney Islands
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£936£940£887£956£960£907Orkney Islands
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£101£101£96£129£130£123Orkney Islands
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£312£314£296£329£330£312Orkney Islands
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£2.70£2.71£2.56£0.97£0.97£0.92Shetland Islands
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£3.93£3.95£3.73£4.01£4.02£3.80Orkney Islands
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1.16£1.16£1.10Estimated£8.00£8.04£7.59EstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026985.3995.3Orkney Islands
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 202664.174.3Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026159.2142.7Shetland Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202659.463.6Orkney Islands
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026119.5128.7Orkney Islands
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202616.4Estimated19.0EstimatedOrkney Islands

Per resident

Shetland Islands is higher on 2 of 21 measures, and Orkney Islands on 19. 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

Shetland Islands Orkney Islands

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £2,838, Orkney Islands £4,381Orkney Islands: £4,381Shetland Islands: £2,838Orkney Islands: £4,399Shetland Islands: £2,850Orkney Islands: £4,155Shetland Islands: £2,692

    £2,838£2,850£2,692Orkney Islands is higher£4,381£4,399£4,155

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £1,446, Orkney Islands £2,891Orkney Islands: £2,891Shetland Islands: £1,446Orkney Islands: £2,903Shetland Islands: £1,452Orkney Islands: £2,742Shetland Islands: £1,371

    £1,446£1,452£1,371Orkney Islands is higher£2,891£2,903£2,742

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £784, Orkney Islands £803Orkney Islands: £803Shetland Islands: £784Orkney Islands: £806Shetland Islands: £787Orkney Islands: £761Shetland Islands: £743

    £784£787£743Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£803£806£761

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Shetland Islands £1,251, Orkney Islands £2,653Orkney Islands: £2,653Shetland Islands: £1,251Orkney Islands: £2,664Shetland Islands: £1,256Orkney Islands: £2,516Shetland Islands: £1,186

    £1,251£1,256£1,186Orkney Islands is higher£2,653£2,664£2,516

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Shetland Islands £55, Orkney Islands £79Orkney Islands: £79Shetland Islands: £55Orkney Islands: £79Shetland Islands: £55Orkney Islands: £75Shetland Islands: £52

    £55£55£52Orkney Islands is higher£79£79£75

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £137, Orkney Islands £155Orkney Islands: £155Shetland Islands: £137Orkney Islands: £156Shetland Islands: £138Orkney Islands: £147Shetland Islands: £130

    £137£138£130Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£155£156£147

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

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £3.00, Orkney Islands £4.30Orkney Islands: £4.30Shetland Islands: £3.00Orkney Islands: £4.32Shetland Islands: £3.02Orkney Islands: £4.08Shetland Islands: £2.85

    £3.00£3.02£2.85Orkney Islands is higher£4.30£4.32£4.08

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £374, Orkney Islands £426Orkney Islands: £426Shetland Islands: £374Orkney Islands: £428Shetland Islands: £376Orkney Islands: £404Shetland Islands: £355

    £374£376£355Orkney Islands is higher£426£428£404

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £132, Orkney Islands £123Orkney Islands: £123Shetland Islands: £132Orkney Islands: £124Shetland Islands: £133Orkney Islands: £117Shetland Islands: £125

    £132£133£125Shetland Islands is higher£123£124£117

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £36, Orkney Islands £49Orkney Islands: £49Shetland Islands: £36Orkney Islands: £49Shetland Islands: £36Orkney Islands: £47Shetland Islands: £34

    £36£36£34Orkney Islands is higher£49£49£47

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Shetland Islands £558, Orkney Islands £559Orkney Islands: £559Shetland Islands: £558Orkney Islands: £561Shetland Islands: £560Orkney Islands: £530Shetland Islands: £529

    £558£560£529Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£559£561£530

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Shetland Islands £101, Orkney Islands £129Orkney Islands: £129Shetland Islands: £101Orkney Islands: £130Shetland Islands: £101Orkney Islands: £123Shetland Islands: £96

    £101£101£96Orkney Islands is higher£129£130£123

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Shetland Islands £186, Orkney Islands £192Orkney Islands: £192Shetland Islands: £186Orkney Islands: £193Shetland Islands: £187Orkney Islands: £182Shetland Islands: £177

    £186£187£177Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£192£193£182

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Shetland Islands £1.61, Orkney Islands £0.57Orkney Islands: £0.57Shetland Islands: £1.61Orkney Islands: £0.57Shetland Islands: £1.62Orkney Islands: £0.54Shetland Islands: £1.53

    £1.61£1.62£1.53Shetland Islands is higher£0.57£0.57£0.54

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Shetland Islands £2.34, Orkney Islands £2.34Orkney Islands: £2.34Shetland Islands: £2.34Orkney Islands: £2.35Shetland Islands: £2.35Orkney Islands: £2.22Shetland Islands: £2.22

    £2.34£2.35£2.22No difference to showDepends on how you count£2.34£2.35£2.22

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £1.16, Orkney Islands £8.00Orkney Islands: £8.00Shetland Islands: £1.16Orkney Islands: £8.04Shetland Islands: £1.16Orkney Islands: £7.59Shetland Islands: £1.10

    £1.16£1.16£1.10Orkney Islands is higher£8.00£8.04£7.59

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 211.8, Orkney Islands 242.5Orkney Islands: 242.5Shetland Islands: 211.8

    211.8Orkney Islands is higher242.5

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 13.8, Orkney Islands 18.1Orkney Islands: 18.1Shetland Islands: 13.8

    13.8Orkney Islands is higher18.1

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 34.2, Orkney Islands 34.8Orkney Islands: 34.8Shetland Islands: 34.2

    34.2Orkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count34.8

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 59.4, Orkney Islands 63.6Orkney Islands: 63.6Shetland Islands: 59.4

    59.4Orkney Islands is higher63.6

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 71.2, Orkney Islands 75.2Orkney Islands: 75.2Shetland Islands: 71.2

    71.2Orkney Islands is higher75.2

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 9.8, Orkney Islands 11.1Orkney Islands: 11.1Shetland Islands: 9.8

    9.8Orkney Islands is higher11.1

Show the numbers
Shetland Islands and Orkney Islands, per resident
MeasureShetland IslandsOrkney IslandsHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£2,838£2,850£2,692Estimated£4,381£4,399£4,155EstimatedOrkney Islands
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,446£1,452£1,371Estimated£2,891£2,903£2,742EstimatedOrkney Islands
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£784£787£743Estimated£803£806£761EstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£1,251£1,256£1,186£2,653£2,664£2,516Orkney Islands
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£55£55£52£79£79£75Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£137£138£130Estimated£155£156£147EstimatedOrkney Islands
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£3.00£3.02£2.85Estimated£4.30£4.32£4.08EstimatedOrkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£374£376£355Estimated£426£428£404EstimatedOrkney Islands
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£132£133£125Estimated£123£124£117EstimatedShetland Islands
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£36£36£34Estimated£49£49£47EstimatedOrkney Islands
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£558£560£529£559£561£530Orkney Islands
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£101£101£96£129£130£123Orkney Islands
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£186£187£177£192£193£182Orkney Islands
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£1.61£1.62£1.53£0.57£0.57£0.54Shetland Islands
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£2.34£2.35£2.22£2.34£2.35£2.22
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1.16£1.16£1.10Estimated£8.00£8.04£7.59EstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026211.8242.5Orkney Islands
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202613.818.1Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202634.234.8Orkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202659.463.6Orkney Islands
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 202671.275.2Orkney Islands
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 20269.8Estimated11.1EstimatedOrkney Islands

Total

Shetland Islands is higher on 7 of 22 measures, and Orkney Islands on 15. 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

Shetland Islands Orkney Islands

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Shetland Islands £64.7m, Orkney Islands £96.4mOrkney Islands: £96.4mShetland Islands: £64.7mOrkney Islands: £96.8mShetland Islands: £65.0mOrkney Islands: £91.4mShetland Islands: £61.4m

    £64.7m£65.0m£61.4mOrkney Islands is higher£96.4m£96.8m£91.4m

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Shetland Islands £33.0m, Orkney Islands £63.6mOrkney Islands: £63.6mShetland Islands: £33.0mOrkney Islands: £63.9mShetland Islands: £33.1mOrkney Islands: £60.3mShetland Islands: £31.3m

    £33.0m£33.1m£31.3mOrkney Islands is higher£63.6m£63.9m£60.3m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Shetland Islands £17.9m, Orkney Islands £17.7mOrkney Islands: £17.7mShetland Islands: £17.9mOrkney Islands: £17.7mShetland Islands: £17.9mOrkney Islands: £16.8mShetland Islands: £16.9m

    £17.9m£17.9m£16.9mShetland Islands is higherDepends on how you count£17.7m£17.7m£16.8m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Shetland Islands £28.5m, Orkney Islands £58.4mOrkney Islands: £58.4mShetland Islands: £28.5mOrkney Islands: £58.6mShetland Islands: £28.6mOrkney Islands: £55.4mShetland Islands: £27.0m

    £28.5m£28.6m£27.0mOrkney Islands is higher£58.4m£58.6m£55.4m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Shetland Islands £1.3m, Orkney Islands £1.7mOrkney Islands: £1.7mShetland Islands: £1.3mOrkney Islands: £1.7mShetland Islands: £1.3mOrkney Islands: £1.6mShetland Islands: £1.2m

    £1.3m£1.3m£1.2mOrkney Islands is higher£1.7m£1.7m£1.6m

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Shetland Islands £3.1m, Orkney Islands £3.4mOrkney Islands: £3.4mShetland Islands: £3.1mOrkney Islands: £3.4mShetland Islands: £3.1mOrkney Islands: £3.2mShetland Islands: £3.0m

    £3.1m£3.1m£3.0mOrkney Islands is higherDepends on how you count£3.4m£3.4m£3.2m

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

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, total: Shetland Islands £0.07m, Orkney Islands £0.09mOrkney Islands: £0.09mShetland Islands: £0.07mOrkney Islands: £0.10mShetland Islands: £0.07mOrkney Islands: £0.09mShetland Islands: £0.06m

    £0.07m£0.07m£0.06mOrkney Islands is higher£0.09m£0.10m£0.09m

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Shetland Islands £8.5m, Orkney Islands £9.4mOrkney Islands: £9.4mShetland Islands: £8.5mOrkney Islands: £9.4mShetland Islands: £8.6mOrkney Islands: £8.9mShetland Islands: £8.1m

    £8.5m£8.6m£8.1mOrkney Islands is higher£9.4m£9.4m£8.9m

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Shetland Islands £3.0m, Orkney Islands £2.7mOrkney Islands: £2.7mShetland Islands: £3.0mOrkney Islands: £2.7mShetland Islands: £3.0mOrkney Islands: £2.6mShetland Islands: £2.9m

    £3.0m£3.0m£2.9mShetland Islands is higher£2.7m£2.7m£2.6m

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Shetland Islands £0.81m, Orkney Islands £1.1mOrkney Islands: £1.1mShetland Islands: £0.81mOrkney Islands: £1.1mShetland Islands: £0.82mOrkney Islands: £1.0mShetland Islands: £0.77m

    £0.81m£0.82m£0.77mOrkney Islands is higher£1.1m£1.1m£1.0m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Shetland Islands £12.7m, Orkney Islands £12.3mOrkney Islands: £12.3mShetland Islands: £12.7mOrkney Islands: £12.3mShetland Islands: £12.8mOrkney Islands: £11.7mShetland Islands: £12.1m

    £12.7m£12.8m£12.1mShetland Islands is higherDepends on how you count£12.3m£12.3m£11.7m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Shetland Islands £2.3m, Orkney Islands £2.8mOrkney Islands: £2.8mShetland Islands: £2.3mOrkney Islands: £2.9mShetland Islands: £2.3mOrkney Islands: £2.7mShetland Islands: £2.2m

    £2.3m£2.3m£2.2mOrkney Islands is higher£2.8m£2.9m£2.7m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Shetland Islands £4.2m, Orkney Islands £4.2mOrkney Islands: £4.2mShetland Islands: £4.2mOrkney Islands: £4.2mShetland Islands: £4.3mOrkney Islands: £4.0mShetland Islands: £4.0m

    £4.2m£4.3m£4.0mShetland Islands is higherDepends on how you count£4.2m£4.2m£4.0m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Shetland Islands £0.04m, Orkney Islands £0.01mOrkney Islands: £0.01mShetland Islands: £0.04mOrkney Islands: £0.01mShetland Islands: £0.04mOrkney Islands: £0.01mShetland Islands: £0.03m

    £0.04m£0.04m£0.03mShetland Islands is higher£0.01m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Shetland Islands £0.05m, Orkney Islands £0.05mOrkney Islands: £0.05mShetland Islands: £0.05mOrkney Islands: £0.05mShetland Islands: £0.05mOrkney Islands: £0.05mShetland Islands: £0.05m

    £0.05mShetland Islands is higherDepends on how you count£0.05m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Shetland Islands £0.03m, Orkney Islands £0.18mOrkney Islands: £0.18mShetland Islands: £0.03mOrkney Islands: £0.18mShetland Islands: £0.03mOrkney Islands: £0.17mShetland Islands: £0.03m

    £0.03mOrkney Islands is higher£0.18m£0.18m£0.17m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Shetland Islands 4,828, Orkney Islands 5,335Orkney Islands: 5,335Shetland Islands: 4,828

    4,828Orkney Islands is higher5,335

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Shetland Islands 314, Orkney Islands 398Orkney Islands: 398Shetland Islands: 314

    314Orkney Islands is higher398

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Shetland Islands 780, Orkney Islands 765Orkney Islands: 765Shetland Islands: 780

    780Shetland Islands is higherDepends on how you count765

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Shetland Islands 1,355, Orkney Islands 1,400Orkney Islands: 1,400Shetland Islands: 1,355

    1,355Orkney Islands is higher1,400

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Shetland Islands 1,624, Orkney Islands 1,654Orkney Islands: 1,654Shetland Islands: 1,624

    1,624Orkney Islands is higher1,654

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Shetland Islands 223, Orkney Islands 244Orkney Islands: 244Shetland Islands: 223

    223Orkney Islands is higher244

Show the numbers
Shetland Islands and Orkney Islands, total
MeasureShetland IslandsOrkney IslandsHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£64.7m£65.0m£61.4mEstimated£96.4m£96.8m£91.4mEstimatedOrkney Islands
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£33.0m£33.1m£31.3mEstimated£63.6m£63.9m£60.3mEstimatedOrkney Islands
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£17.9m£17.9m£16.9mEstimated£17.7m£17.7m£16.8mEstimatedShetland Islands
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£28.5m£28.6m£27.0m£58.4m£58.6m£55.4mOrkney Islands
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£1.3m£1.3m£1.2m£1.7m£1.7m£1.6mOrkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£3.1m£3.1m£3.0mEstimated£3.4m£3.4m£3.2mEstimatedOrkney Islands
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.07m£0.07m£0.06mEstimated£0.09m£0.10m£0.09mEstimatedOrkney Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£8.5m£8.6m£8.1mEstimated£9.4m£9.4m£8.9mEstimatedOrkney Islands
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£3.0m£3.0m£2.9mEstimated£2.7m£2.7m£2.6mEstimatedShetland Islands
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.81m£0.82m£0.77mEstimated£1.1m£1.1m£1.0mEstimatedOrkney Islands
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£12.7m£12.8m£12.1m£12.3m£12.3m£11.7mShetland Islands
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£2.3m£2.3m£2.2m£2.8m£2.9m£2.7mOrkney Islands
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£4.2m£4.3m£4.0m£4.2m£4.2m£4.0mShetland Islands
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£0.04m£0.04m£0.03m£0.01mShetland Islands
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.05m£0.05mShetland Islands
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£0.03mEstimated£0.18m£0.18m£0.17mEstimatedOrkney Islands
State Pensiontotal, March 20264,8285,335Orkney Islands
Pension Credittotal, March 2026314398Orkney Islands
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 2026780765Shetland Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 20261,3551,400Orkney Islands
Universal Credittotal, May 20261,6241,654Orkney Islands
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 2026223Estimated244EstimatedOrkney Islands

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.