Scotland’s beer and pub industry supports 64,000 jobs and contributes £2.5bn to economy

Scotland’s beer and pub industry generated almost £2.5 billion for the Scottish economy and supported more than 64,000 jobs during 2025, according to new research commissioned by the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA).

The independent analysis, produced by Oxford Economics, found that the sector generated £2.472 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA), supported 64,200 jobs and paid £1.29 billion in wages across Scotland.

The figures include the economic contribution of breweries and pubs, beer sales through the wider hospitality sector, and activity generated across retail and industry supply chains.

The research also highlights the sector’s importance across Scotland’s communities. On average, the industry supported around £309 million in GVA, 8,000 jobs and £161 million in wages in each of Scotland’s electoral regions.

A particularly significant finding was the role played by the industry in providing employment opportunities for younger people. More than half of Scottish workers directly employed by the sector were aged between 16 and 24 – more than four times the equivalent proportion across the wider Scottish economy.

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the SBPA, said the findings demonstrated the “enormous contribution” made by the industry to Scotland’s economy and communities.

However, the association warned that the sector remains under significant pressure from rising costs, taxation and regulation.

It pointed to previous research showing that 293 Scottish pubs had closed permanently over the preceding five years. This represented 6.4% of Scotland’s pubs, compared with 4.1% in England.

The SBPA is calling for action from both the Scottish and UK Governments, including reform of business rates, a competitive beer-duty regime and measures to reduce wider tax pressures affecting pubs and breweries.

The association said that supporting the sector would help protect not only pubs and breweries but also jobs and businesses throughout their supply chains, including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, tourism and hospitality.