LOTHIAN RESIDENTS SPEND THE MOST ON NIGHTS OUT
- New research compares the spending habits of Scotland’s key regions
- Those living in Lothian spend the most money on going out
- Lothian residents also spend the most money on themselves and their partners
People living in Edinburgh and the Lothian region spend the most money on going out, according to new research from the Bank of Scotland. Residents in Lothian topped the poll, spending an average £116 per month on nights out, according to Bank of Scotland’s How Scotland Lives report – £19 more than the national average spend.
Coming in second place, those living in Glasgow and Fife were both found to spend an average £104 per month on going out. While those in the Highlands & Islands came last, spending just £75 per month.
West Scotland and South Scotland also scored low on the report, with residents spending a mere £89 and £82 on going out.
The research also pinpointed Lothian as the region which spends the most amount of money on themselves and their partners, with residents forking out an average £98 per month – £14 more than the national average.
Central Scotland came second, spending £95 on themselves, and their partners. While South Scotland are the most frugal when it comes to splashing out on themselves and their partners, spending just £74.
As well as highlighting Lothian’s sociable side, the research report has also provided a comparison of what Scotland’s key regions spend more on, compared to other regions.
Residents in Aberdeen come out on top for rent, mortgage and car payments, while those living in Dundee spend the most amount of money on shopping for children.
Those living in Glasgow were found to spend the most on insurance premiums, while Highlands & Islands residents were revealed as spending the most amount of money on debt payment – and adult care costs.
A full snapshot of Scotland’s key regional spending habits:
| Region | What it spends more on compared to any other Scottish region* | Mean expenditure (per month) | Comparison to the national average spend (£) |
| Glasgow | Insurance premiums | £115 | £8 more |
| Lothians | Going out | £116 | £19 more |
| Shopping for themselves/a partner | £98 | £14 more | |
| Highlands & Islands | Paying off debts | £276 | £50 more |
| Adult care costs | £205 | £66 more | |
| Dundee & surrounds | Shopping for children | £102 | £14 more |
| Aberdeen & surrounds | Mortgage and rent payments | £527 | £104 more |
| Car payments | £182 | £36 more |
Scotland’s debt doubts
In addition to providing a snapshot of Scotland’s regional spending habits, the How Scotland Lives research report has highlighted the debt faced by many across the country.
In particular, 46% of Scots are carrying over at least some form of debt from the previous month.
More than half of debtors indicated they were concerned with their current financial position. This is particularly the case among 35-45 year olds, with 30% believing they will always be in debt.
Rachel Bright, Head of Customer Services at Bank of Scotland said: “While other regions spend more on necessity costs such as insurance premiums and debts, Lothian comes out on top for just wanting to have a good time.
“The research also paints a picture of the level of consumer debt in Scotland. It’s concerning that almost half of Scots aren’t paying off their debts from previous months and we would always encourage people to look at other areas to see if they can make savings that will allow them to pay off more debt.”
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