Labour market statistics: UK regions and countries

This paper gives an overview of labour market statistics across the UK’s regions and countries. The spreadsheet published alongside this paper includes a ‘profile tool’ where you can select a region and see all data for that region presented in tables and charts.

The table below shows the latest key labour market statistics for each of the UK’s regions and countries:

Employment

Between October 2018 and September 2019 the employment rate was highest in the South East (79.3%) and lowest in the North East (71.2%).

Employment rates across the UK fell following the 2008 recession, but since 2011/12, employment rates across all regions and countries have been increasing. Employment rates are currently higher than their pre-recession levels in all UK regions and countries.

Unemployment

The unemployment rate was highest in the North East (5.7%) and lowest in the East of England and Northern Ireland (3.0%).

Unemployment rates across the UK rose following the recession, but since 2011/12, unemployment rates across all regions and countries have been falling. The unemployment rate is now less than pre-recession levels in all UK regions and countries.

Part-time employment

Part-time working was most prevalent in the South West where 30.4% of those in employment were working part-time. Part-time working was least prevalent in London where 21.6% of those in employment were working part-time.

Self-employment

Self-employment was most prevalent in London where 18.5% of those in employment were self-employed. Self-employment was least prevalent in Scotland where 12.4% of workers were self-employed.

Average weekly earnings

The latest statistics from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings show that in April 2019 average weekly earnings were highest for full-time employees living in London (£699) and lowest in the North East (£531).

Average weekly earnings for full-time employees are, after adjusting for changes in prices, below their pre-recession levels in every region and country in the UK except Northern Ireland and Wales.