Scotland slips in worldwide wellbeing table
SCOTLAND has dropped down international rankings for wellbeing as ministers continue to fail on improving vital public services.
The country experienced one of the biggest falls among developed countries in the Index of Social and Economic Wellbeing (ISEW).
Scotland fell five places into the bottom half of nations, with only Wales seeing a similar decline.
In compiling the rankings, experts evaluate performance over a range of measures including income, educanity tion, inclusivity and longevity.
They concluded that Scotland now sits behind countries such as Estonia, Korea and Belgium, in joint 21st place with Slovenia. England remains ahead in 12th place, while the UK as a whole is 15th out of the 32 countries included in the index.
Economist Professor John McLaren of Scottish Trends, which published the index, said there were issues with education and income performance – the latter due to a drop in North Sea-related activity.
Scotland’s ‘very poor’ life expectancy remains its weakest area, according to the report.
Yesterday, critics claimed the country’s slide down the rankings was a sign of the ‘SNP’s failure’ to effectively deliver public services such as health and education.
Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said: ‘The SNP has a great opportuto turn this around with next month’s Budget.
‘With a UK windfall on its way, now is the time for the SNP to grow the Scottish economy, support our public services and improve the lives of millions.’
The index compares the relative progress of 32 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, examining changes made between 2006 and 2018.
Eastern European countries – including Estonia and the Czech Republic – moved above Scotland this year.
The Scottish Government plans to make wellbeing a key aspect of future Budget plans.
Professor McLaren said the ranking raised questions about the potential ‘shortcomings’ of devolution.
He added: ‘The willingness across the Scottish parliament to be radical enough to seriously reorient current spending patterns seems thin on the ground. But without such profound changes, improvements in key aspects of the quality of life may fail to emerge over the next 20 years of devolution.’
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: ‘Scotland is a great place to live but our government has failed to get to grips with fundamental challenges facing our economy and our society.
‘Rather than spend more years distracted by the prospect of an independence referendum, the Scottish Government should be focusing on tackling serial failings in health and education.’
Scotland in Union chief executive Pamela Nash said it was ‘a stark reminder that Scotland deserves better’.
A spokesman for Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: ‘The Scottish Government is doing everything it can to improve the lives of people in Scotland, but as long as we have to live under the disgraceful welfare cuts and callous economic policies of Tory governments we didn’t vote for, we will be tackling poverty and inequality with one hand tied behind our backs.’