The economically inactive are non-workers who are not actively seeking employment. Including information about the main reason for inactivity and comparisons by sex and age group.
The latest local labour market statistics were released on 21st January 2025. They are based on responses to the Annual Population Survey (APS) over a 12-month period between October 2023 and September 2024. The next release will be in April 2025.
The headline economic inactivity rate measures the proportion of working age residents of an area who are not in employment and not actively seeking employment. The remainder of the working age population are either employed or unemployed. 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 ONS guidance and compare non-overlapping periods.
Inactivity rate trends and comparisons
25.8%
North East economic inactivity rate
(Oct 23-Sep 24) % of residents aged 16 to 64. Above the England excluding London rate (21.5%).
-0.2 pp
compared to a year earlier
expressed in percentage points (pp) England excluding London rate increased by 0.5 pp.
3rd
highest among nine similar areas
comparing the English combined authority areas in the north and midlands.
32.3%
South Tyneside economic inactivity rate
the highest rate among the seven North East local authority areas. Lowest: Gateshead (21.8%)
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Apr 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: Apr 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 areas, national comparisons.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Apr 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: Parliamentary constituency areas.
(Oct 23-Sep 24, 16 to 64). Above England excluding London rate (24.8%) Higher than the male rate..
23.5%
male economic inactivity rate
Above the England excluding London rate (18.1%). The gap is wider than for females.
37.0%
female 16 to 24 rate
Highest of the eight age/sex combinations. Male equivalent: 35.2%. Both below England excluding London rates. North East higher in the other six groups, gap is largest for males aged 25 to 34.
41%
aged 50 to 64
out of all inactive (16 to 64 ). 24% aged under 25. Females and males, respectively, 55% and 45% of the total.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Apr 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.
Data information: Economically inactive people aged 16-64 by sex and age. Based on surveys over a 12 month period . Geography: North East combined authority area
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Apr 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: 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: Percentage of all economically inactive people aged 16-64 by main reason cited for inactivity. Categories in the published data have been combined. Geography: Combined authority (CA) areas and London; North East local authority (LA) areas; national comparisons.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Apr 2025 Data information: Percentage of the population aged 16-64 by main reason cited for inactivity, calculated from rounded totals. Categories in the published data have been combined. Geography: Combined authority (CA) areas and London; North East local authority (LA) areas; national comparisons.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Apr 2025 Data information: Economically inactive people aged 16-64 by main reason cited for inactivity. Categories in the published data have been combined. 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 area.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Apr 2025 Data information: Percentage of the population aged 16-64 who are inactive with long-term or temporary sickness being cited as the main reason. Calculated by North East combined authority from rounded totals. Categories in the published data have been combined. 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 area, England excluding London.
Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Apr 2025 Data information: Percentage of 16-64 population for both sexes. Calculated rates based on rounded totals from survey data over a 12 month period. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area, England excluding London
Source: Annual Population Survey - Regional - Labour Market Status By Age (ONS via Nomis). Next update: Apr 2025 Data information: Rate expressed as a percentage of population in the specific category. Based on surveys over a 12 month period and some data can be volatile over time. Geography: North East region - includes the North East and Tees Valley Combined Authority areas.
The evidence hub includes other data reports that provide information about non workers within the labour market. Specifically, it includes reports about unemployment and jobseekers benefit claimants.
Most of the raw data for these reports can be downloaded from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Unemployment rate
Statistics about the percentage of economically active people who are seeking employment.
An ONS site providing a flexible way to access up-to-date official statistics for local areas. Also includes population estimates and some economic data.
