New data indicates that in the final three months of 2022, Scotland's employment rate reached a record high.
According to the Office for National Statistics, between October and December of last year, 76.6% of people ages 16 to 64 were employed.
It represents a 2 point 4 percentage point increase over the figure for the same time period in 2021 and compares to a 75 point 6 percent employment rate for the entire UK.
Statistics also indicate that pay is increasing at the fastest rate in more than 20 years.
However, it is still unable to keep up with the increase in prices.
By the end of 2022, 2.7million Scots who were over 16 had jobs, according to the ONS Labour force survey.
There has been a slight decrease in the number of "economically inactive" or unemployed people.
Over 16s who are unemployed make up about 93,000 (3.3 percent), which is 5,000 fewer than it was in the previous three months and 19,000 fewer than it was from October to December of 2021.
And 717,000 (20.8%) of those between the ages of 16 and 64 were economically inactive, which means they were either unable to start working in the next two weeks or had not looked for work in the previous four weeks.
Since the same time last year, that number has decreased by 58,000 (1.8% percentage points).
The high employment rate for women and people between the ages of 16 and 64 was praised by employment minister Richard Lochhead.
In spite of the challenging economic conditions, which continue to be impacted by Brexit, high inflation, and the cost-of-living crisis, he said, "the employment rate in Scotland remains high.".
Mr. Lochhead added that some industries still had difficulty filling positions.
The Scottish government, according to him, is making every effort to collaborate with businesses and organizations to help alleviate the situation.
"I reiterate my requests for UK ministers to create a joint taskforce on labor market shortages. The UK government holds significant authority over immigration, visas, and important components of employment law.
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