Groups of people in our society with certain characteristics or from particular backgrounds often face discrimination in their daily lives. This may be associated with race, age, sex, gender, sexuality, disability, religion or belief. As a result of the lack of opportunity caused by such discrimination we often hear of certain groups being described as marginalised.

One of the effects of discrimination against particular groups is that they are underrepresented in the working population. The Scottish Government monitors statistics around this, with a view to using the data to push for an improvement in the situation.