Unemployment in Scotland has fallen below the national average but is higher than it was last year.
Joblessness fell by 5000 to 214,000 between April and June this year bringing the unemployment rate to 7.9%, just below UK average of 8%.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday showed that employment in Scotland increased by 12,000 over that time period.
However, unemployment is up 3000 compared to the same quarter in 2011, while the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance was 142,600, down by 1100 from last year.
Scotland Secretary Michael Moore said: "The Scottish labour market is proving resilient and it is good news more people are finding work and fewer Scots are claiming benefit. Each step in the right direction counts for the families and individuals who have made the positive step into work.
"Unemployment has fallen for the fifth consecutive month of reporting. These are encouraging figures during challenging times but we cannot be complacent in our drive to rebalance the economy towards sustainable economic growth. This government is continuing to make the right decisions for the economy and getting the UK back into growth.
"The work programme is continuing to provide support for people on their way to long term, meaningful employment. We need to continue to build a 'Team Scotland' approach to this issue across both governments, employment organisations and other bodies."
The youth employment rate in Scotland is now 56.3%, compared to 50% in the UK, with 10,000 more 16 to 24-year-olds in Scotland in work than a year ago.
First Minister Alex Salmond added: "These figures show that Scotland has a higher employment rate - for the twenty first consecutive month of labour market statistics - a lower unemployment rate, and a lower rate of economic inactivity than the UK as a whole.
"Scottish unemployment has fallen for five consecutive months of statistics, and the Scottish rate continues to be lower than the UK as a whole. The figures for youth employment show that the Scottish Government's efforts to help young people are paying off, and the rate of female unemployment is now below the UK average. However, while these are welcome trends, there are still too many people in Scotland without work, and more needs to be done.
"The Scottish Government and our agencies are doing all we can within our current powers to strengthen the economy, to create and bring jobs to Scotland, to stimulate growth and to create the most supportive environment for business in the UK."
