Disposable incomes in Aberdeen have fallen more sharply than in any other large UK city over the past decade, according to new analysis from the Centre for Cities.
The think tank’s Cities Outlook 2026 report shows real-terms disposable income in Aberdeen fell by 18.8% between 2013 and 2023.
It estimates Aberdonians would have been £34,700 better off per person over the decade had income growth matched that of the UK’s top-performing cities.
Scottish cities overall are said to be “trailing the rest of the country, experiencing real-terms declines in living standards since 2013”.
The report adds that “living standards growth in urban Britain has not recovered” since the 2008 financial crisis, noting: “Annual increases in disposable incomes for most places have hovered around zero.”
Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: “Ultimately it is stronger economic growth that raises household incomes”, adding that “cost-of-living fixes” from governments “can only ever be temporary”.
Responding to the report, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “The report highlights disposable incomes increased by just 2.4% in the UK over the 10-year period to 2023 – this reflects UK economic policy and the economic damage caused by EU exit.”
She added: “To drive economic growth across Scotland, our draft budget for 2026–27 sets out a competitive non-domestic rates relief package worth an estimated £864 million.”