The Scottish economy has run a nearly £15bn deficit for a second financial year, according to government figures.

The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) report of the 2015-16 financial year shows the country spent £14.8bn more than it raised in taxation, equating to 9.5% of the country's GDP.

In the same year the UK deficit to GDP ratio was 4%, £75.3bn.

The downturn in price of North Sea oil caused revenues to fall to just £60m, the Scottish Government figures revealed.

The loss in these highly taxed oil revenues now means the country generates less tax per person than the UK average.

Revenues in Scotland's onshore economy grew over the period by £1.9bn.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the report shows the country's economy is strong and that leaving the European Union could damage its standing.

Sturgeon said: "The foundations of our economy remain strong. Scotland, in terms of economic output per head - and even excluding offshore revenues - remains the most prosperous part of the UK outside of London and South East England.

"And today's GERS publication shows that our onshore revenues continue to grow, with revenue increasing by £1.9bn over the year, more than offsetting the decline in offshore revenue.

"This supports increased health spending in Scotland, while education spending has also been rising even while it fell in the rest of the UK.

"And in the latest quarter, Scottish employment increased by 51,000 - the largest quarterly rise on record.

"The lower oil price has, of course, reduced offshore revenues, with a corresponding impact on our fiscal position - this underlines the fact that Scotland's challenge is to continue to grow our onshore economy.

"However, Scotland's long-term economic success is now being directly threatened by the likely impact of Brexit.

"Today's figures come a day after analysis from Scottish Government showed that taking Scotland out of the European Union and our place in the world's biggest single market would make the task of growing and diversifying the Scottish economy even harder."

Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said the GERS report shows it is the union between Scotland and the rest of the UK which is vital to the country's economy, not the European Union.

Mundell said: "These figures show how being part of the UK protects living standards in Scotland.

"Scotland weathered a dramatic slump in oil revenues last year because we are part of a United Kingdom that has at its heart a system for pooling and sharing resources across the country as a whole.

"It is important that continues and the financial deal between the UK and Scottish governments, struck last year as part of the transfer of new tax and welfare powers to Holyrood, means real security for Scotland.

"The fact public spending was £1,200 per head higher in Scotland than the UK as a whole also demonstrates that the United Kingdom, not the European Union, is the vital union for Scotland's prosperity."

The Scottish Conservative's shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser called on the First Minister to "ditch" her plan to "split up Britain" following the release of the report.

Fraser said: "Today's GERS analysis simply confirms the fact that Scotland benefits massively from being a member of the United Kingdom.

"When times are tough in Scotland, as they are now, the union means we can top up public spending so we don't have to make huge cuts to the NHS or increase family tax bills.

"This union dividend amounted to £1600 for every man, woman and child last year, according to these figures.

"That's how unions work - when one member needs support, the union provides it."

He continued: "In recent days we have seen the First Minister fear-mongering over the UK's decision to leave the EU in the hope she can hide the flaws in her own separation plan.

"It would be better if she faced up to the truth - you don't meet the challenges of leaving one union by quitting one of far more importance to Scotland's prosperity.

"Even the SNP's own MPs say five more painful years of cuts would be necessary to deal with the shock of separation. "There is an easy way for this threat to be lifted and that is for Nicola Sturgeon to ditch her negative campaign to split up Britain.

"It is time she acted like a proper First Minister, ended her unwanted plan to take us back to another toxic referendum, and allowed Scotland to move on."

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said the report should be a "reality check" for those advocating a second referendum on independence.

Dugdale said: "Today's figures should act as a reality check for those calling for another independence referendum.

"It's clearer than ever that Scotland benefits from pooling and sharing resources across the UK. Being part of the UK means higher spending on the public services like education and the health service that we all rely on.

"That's a strong, positive case for Scotland remaining in the UK - our most important social and economic union.

"During the independence referendum Nicola Sturgeon personally promised a second oil boom. Her own government's figures show she misled people and that is unforgivable.

"The SNP's own figures confirm independence would mean severe cuts over and above those already being imposed by the Tories, at exactly the time when our public services need more investment.

"While these figures show the benefit of being part of the UK, they also show the need for the Scottish Government to invest in our economy to get us back on track."

Independence was also raised by the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie in his reaction to the publication of the report.

He said: "The Nationalists' case for independence has been swallowed up by £15bn black hole. It's a dark day for Scottish nationalism but it is even darker for the Scottish economy.

"The oil shock and the Brexit shock should not be compounded with an independence shock.

"Instead of pursuing a reckless gamble with independence the Scottish Government should have a laser like focus on boosting the economy by investing in our workforce with new money for education and a step change in mental health."

In contrast to other opposition leaders, Green party co-convener Patrick Harvie said the document's main point was not the constitution but the changes needed to Scotland's economy.

Harvie said: "These figures will inevitably set off another round of empty rhetoric, just as they do every year, between those who think the SNP can do no wrong and those who think Scotland can never aspire to govern itself.

"In truth, the figures show what has been clear for years - that a strong future for Scotland's economy will depend on ending our reliance on oil and gas, and investing in the industries of the 21st century instead.

"Diversifying our economy will mean developing a broader range of revenue sources, giving us the confidence to invest in making Scotland a more equal country too.

"If we're serious about building up alternative viable industries, and ending our over-reliance on unburnable oil and gas, we must see a joined up plan from the Scottish Government instead of a myopic obsession with getting back to 'business as usual'.

"If the UK Government does take stimulus action in the Autumn Spending Review, as it is hinting, the resources that come to Scotland must be invested in transition, instead of resting on the absurd assumption that the age of oil can last for the long term.

"That transition is vital for Scotland's present situation, and it's equally clear that the case for independence needs a vision of a stronger, more equal and greener economy. There can be no delay in planning for and investing in an economy that works for all."