Economically active people are either in employment or unemployed (not in work but actively seeking employment). Includes comparisons of the headline working age rate and of trends by age and sex.
The latest local labour market statistics were released on 15th April 2025. They are based on responses to the Annual Population Survey (APS) over a 12-month period between January and December 2024. The next release will be in July 2025.
The headline economic activity rate measures the proportion of working age residents of an area who are either in employment or not working but actively seeking employment (classified as unemployed). The remainder of the working age population are defined as economically inactive. The 16 to 64 age group is used by the ONS as a proxy for working age, partly to simplify historical and international comparisons.
Local labour market statistics are updated each quarter, with the latest time period having a nine month overlap with that of the previous release. The time series charts on this page follow National Statistics guidance and compare non-overlapping periods.
Economic activity rate trends and comparisons
73.9%
North East economic activity rate
(Jan 24-Dec 24)
% of people aged 16 to 64.
Below the rate of England excl. London
(78.7%).
-1.8 pp
compared to a year earlier
expressed in percentage points (pp).
The England excl. London rate
decreased by 0.4 pp.
lowest
rate among nine similar areas
comparing the English combined authority
areas in the north and midlands
79.3%
Gateshead economic activity rate
the highest rate among the seven
North East local authority areas.
The other six are below the national rate.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Jul 2025 Data information: Percentage of 16-64 population. Each rate is based on surveys over a 12 month period. This chart shows data for non-overlapping 12 month periods. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area and England excluding London.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Jul 2025 Data information: Percentage of 16-64 population. Each rate is based on surveys over a 12 month period and data for smaller areas can be volatile over time. Geography: Combined authority (CA) areas, North East local authority (LA) areas, national comparisons.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Jul 2025 Data information: Percentage of 16-64 population. Geography: Parliamentary constituency area data. Some of the rates are based on fairly small sample sizes and are, therefore, not as robust as local authority or larger area data.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Jul 2025 Data information: Statistics sourced from a survey of individuals so the rates are based on estimates rather than counts and are subject to a degree of uncertainty. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area and England excluding London.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Jul 2025 Data information: Statistics sourced from a survey of individuals so the rates are based on estimates rather than counts and are subject to a degree of uncertainty. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Jul 2025 Data information: Percentage of 16-64 population. Each rate is based on surveys over a 12 month period. This chart shows data for non-overlapping 12 month periods. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Apr 2025 Data information: Each total is based on surveys over a 12 month period. This chart shows data for non-overlapping 12 month periods. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area.
The evidence hub includes other data reports that provide information about aspects of labour market. In particular, the economic inactivity report includes analysis of why people are not economically active.
Most of the raw data for these reports can be downloaded from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Economic inactivity rate
Includes a breakdown of inactivity that provides information about the reasons that working age people are not economically active.
An ONS site providing a flexible way to access up-to-date official statistics for local areas. The site focuses on all aspects of the labour market, but also includes population estimates and some economic data.
