This edition of Understanding Scotland brings you insights from over 2,000 members of the adult (16+) Scottish public on the most important aspects of our society and economy.
The findings present a clear and more downbeat picture of the public mood than in recent waves. After a period in which pessimism had begun to ease, economic sentiment has deteriorated sharply. Large majorities now say both the national economy and their own financial circumstances have worsened over the past year, and expectations for the year ahead have become more negative across all measures. This renewed pessimism is also likely to reflect a more uncertain global backdrop, including the conflict in the Middle East, which may be reinforcing concerns about economic stability and future costs.
This renewed pessimism is reflected in public priorities. For the first time since 2023, the cost of living has overtaken healthcare as the most important issue facing Scotland, both nationally and locally. This shift underlines the continued salience of household financial pressures, despite a changing political context.
At the same time, there are signs of growing financial strain beneath the headline trends. More Scots report cutting back on everyday spending and drawing on savings, while confidence in coping with financial shocks, particularly rising housing costs or potential job loss, has weakened. Although confidence in managing short-term emergency expenses has improved slightly, this appears to reflect increased reliance on existing resources rather than a sustained improvement in financial resilience.
Looking more broadly, the findings point to a public that remains concerned not only about their own financial situation, but about the wider social consequences of economic pressure. Large majorities continue to support the idea of a collective safety net, and place responsibility on both government and employers to mitigate the impact of economic hardship.
Taken together, the findings from this wave highlights a shift in direction. While political change has reshaped the landscape, public attitudes remain anchored in economic uncertainty. As the new Scottish Parliament takes shape, the challenge will be to respond to a public mood that is becoming more pessimistic, more financially constrained, and more focused on the costs of everyday life.
