The number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Scotland during the month of May was down by 7100 over the year and remains close to a historically low level.
Analysts and politicians were quick to claim the figures, which were better than those for the UK as a whole, showed that the economy north of the border remained buoyant.
David Cairns, the Scotland Office Minister, said: "The figures are good news for Scotland. Economic conditions are difficult worldwide and in that context another increase in Scottish employment - and a fall in unemployment to the lowest level since records began - reflects the government's continued success in delivering economic stability."
The Office for National Staistics, in its latest snapshot of the jobs market, said the number of people out of work dropped by 17,000 between February and April this year to a total of 116,000. This is down 20,000 compared to the same point last year.
Total Scotland employment stood at 2,547,000, according to the ONS Labour Force Survey, over the quarter from February to April, 7000 higher compared with the previous three months and up 8000 compared to the same period last year. The employment rate among those of working age fell over the quarter by 0.1per cent, but rose 0.2per cent over the year, to 76.7per cent.
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