Scotland · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Orkney Islands Council budget and spending
Orkney Islands Council had net current service expenditure of £106.9m in 2024-25, about £4,879 for each of its 21,920 residents. By total budget it is 183rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £106.9m
- Spend per resident
- £4,879
- 3rd of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 21,920
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 183rd
- 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 Orkney Islands Council spends its money
- Education£48.9m
45.7% of the budget
- Social work£32.9m
30.8% of the budget
- Roads and transport£9.5m
8.8% of the budget
- Central services£8.0m
7.5% of the budget
- Culture£5.5m
5.1% of the budget
- Environment£4.6m
4.3% of the budget
- Housing (non-HRA)£1.5m
1.4% 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
Orkney Islands Council: common questions
How much does Orkney Islands Council spend?
Orkney Islands Council had net current service expenditure of £106.9m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Orkney Islands Council spend per resident?
About £4,879 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £106.9m and an ONS population estimate of 21,920. That is 3rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Orkney Islands Council spend most on?
Education is the largest service line at £48.9m, 45.7% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of Orkney Islands Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 30.8% of net service spending in 2024-25.