A new report has starkly revealed how hard it is for young people to find a job in parts of Scotland.
The analysis from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) shows there is a huge difference in the number of opportunities available in different parts of the country.
There are only 51 suitable job vacancies for every 1,000 young people aged from 18-24 in East Renfrewshire, while in the Highlands that figure more than quadruples to 207.
The jobs gap was even worse in England, with the ‘local youth opportunity index’ showing a sixfold gap in jobs in the South Yorkshire town compared with the affluent Cotswolds.
Across the UK the average was 109 suitable job vacancies per 1,000 youngsters, with 22 of Scotland’s 32 council areas having fewer vacancies.
Here are all of Scotland’s council areas ranked from worst to best, according to the figures.
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1. Newton Mearns
East Renfrewshire, which includes leafy Newton Mearns, has a population of 6,954 18-24-year-olds and 51 suitable job vacancies per 1,000 young people. That means that the area is the worst for youth employment prospects in the whole of Scotland. | Google Maps
2. Inverclyde
Inverclyde, which includes the coastal town of Greenock, has a population of 5,353 18-24-year-olds and 59 suitable job vacancies per 1,000 young people. | Canva/Getty Images
3. Dundee City
Dundee City has a population of 17,576 18-24-year-olds and 65 suitable job vacancies per 1,000 young people. | Canva/Getty Images
4. East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire, including the town of Kilmarnock, has a population of 8,341 18-24-year-olds and 79 suitable job vacancies per 1,000 young people. | Canva/Getty Images