Productivity growth in Scotland significantly outperformed the UK between 2007 and 2014 as Scottish output continued to catch up with UK levels, the Scottish Government said.

Output per hour worked in Scotland has grown 4.4% since 2007, compared to UK growth of 0.2% on its 2007 output level.

In 2014, output per hour worked in Scotland increased by 1.3 per cent in real terms, compared to 0.4 per cent for the UK.

Scottish productivity has now increased from 92.2% of the UK average output per hour in 2007 to 97.6% of the UK average in 2014.

“These welcome figures show that Scotland’s productivity performance is improving and catching up with UK levels,” said deputy First Minister John Swinney.

“Output per hour worked grew by 1.3 per cent in real terms during 2014, and Scotland is the only nation or region of the UK to improve its productivity performance relative to the UK average in recent years.

“This follows further evidence of Scotland’s growing economic strength, with Scottish employment at record levels, the highest of the four UK nations, and that we are outperforming the UK as a whole.”