Scotland · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Highland Council budget and spending
Highland Council had net current service expenditure of £684.8m in 2024-25, about £2,886 for each of its 237,260 residents. By total budget it is 43rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £684.8m
- Spend per resident
- £2,886
- 31st of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 237,260
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 43rd
- of 185 single-tier councils
This is the council budget only (net current service expenditure). NHS, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest are not included. In two-tier counties, education and social care sit with the county, not the district.
Where Highland Council spends its money
- Education£366.6m
53.5% of the budget
- Social work£214.9m
31.4% of the budget
- Roads and transport£42.9m
6.3% of the budget
- Environment£41.3m
6.0% of the budget
- Culture£21.6m
3.2% of the budget
- Housing (non-HRA)£20.5m
3.0% of the budget
- Central services£10.5m
1.5% of the budget
Single-tier councils (unitary, metropolitan, London borough and Scottish and Welsh councils) run every local service in their area, so they are compared with each other.
Councils with similar spend per resident
Highland Council: common questions
How much does Highland Council spend?
Highland Council had net current service expenditure of £684.8m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Highland Council spend per resident?
About £2,886 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £684.8m and an ONS population estimate of 237,260. That is 31st highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Highland Council spend most on?
Education is the largest service line at £366.6m, 53.5% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of Highland Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 31.4% of net service spending in 2024-25.