The number of Scots in work has reached a new record high after the jobless total fell by 15,000 in three months.
Official figures show unemployment in Scotland – which includes those who are out of work and not eligible for benefits – dropped to 149,000 in the final three months of last year.
That total is 48,000 less than the same period the previous year, with Deputy First Minister John Swinney saying: “Unemployment is now back to levels not seen since 2009 as the Scottish economy continues to recover.”
The number of Scots in work increased by 63,000 over the year and 20,000 from October to December, to stand at 2,625,000, the Office for National Statistics also revealed.
The unemployment rate north of the border continues to be lower than that for the UK as a whole, at 5.4% compared to 5.7%.
The number of people who are out of work and claiming benefits has also fallen, with the January figure of 81,100 a drop of 3,200 from the previous month.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: “Today’s figures show employment in Scotland is up by 63,449 on the year. That’s more than the working age population of Dundee.
“UK employment has increased more across this parliament than in any other parliament since records began and Scotland continues to share in that because we said No to separation last year. Scotland and the rest of Britain are working because our Lib Dem inspired recovery plan is working. We’re creating the right economic conditions for businesses to invest and grow.
“While there is a lot more to do to fully repair our economy, and especially to support North Sea oil and gas, this strong job creation is powerful evidence that we have laid the foundations of a recovery for all.”
But Mr Swinney said: “Scotland is outperforming the UK on all three headline labour market indicators with employment continuing to increase and unemployment down.”