The economically inactive are non-workers who are not actively seeking employment. With information about reasons for inactivity and comparisons by sex and age group.
Labour market
Poverty and deprivation
Non-workers
Low income and deprivation
The latest local labour market statistics were released on 17th July 2025. They are based on responses to the Annual Population Survey (APS) over a 12-month period from April 2024 to March 2025. The next release will be in October 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 trends and comparisons
26.3%
North East economic inactivity rate
(Apr 24-Mar 25)
% of residents aged 16 to 64.
Highest rate since 2013,
above UK excl. London rate (21.8%).
+1.1 pp
compared to a year earlier
expressed in percentage points (pp)
UK excl. London rate up 0.3 pp.
Local data can be volatile
due to smaller sample sizes.
1st
Highest among 15 similar areas
comparing the English
CA (combined authority) areas.
North East rate 2.1 pp above
the CA area median.
31.0%
South Tyneside economic inactivity rate
the highest rate among the
seven North East
local authority areas.
Lowest: Gateshead (21.2%)
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. Next update: Oct 2025. Geography: North East CA (combined authority) area, UK excluding London.
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. Next update: Oct 25. Geography: English CA (combined authority) areas, national comparisons.
Data information: Percentage of 16-64 population. Each rate is based on surveys over a 12 month period. Next update: Oct 25. Geography: North East local authority (LA) areas; North East; national comparisons.
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. Next update: Oct 25. Geography: Parliamentary constituency areas.
(Apr 24-Mar 25, 16 to 64).
Above the UK excluding London rate
(25.1%).
Higher than the male rate...
24.4%
North East male economic inactivity rate
Above the UK excluding London rate
(18.4%).
The gap is wider than for North East females.
42.7%
male 16 to 24 rate
Highest of eight age/sex combinations.
Female equivalent: 39.9%,
the latter below UK excl. London rate.
NE rate higher in the other seven groups,
gap is largest for males aged 25 to 34.
40%
aged 50 to 64
out of all working age (16-64)
economically inactive
28% aged under 25.
Females 54% of the total.
Data information: Percentages of total population in each age group. Each rate is based on surveys over a 12 month period and data for smaller areas can be volatile over time. Next update Oct 2025 Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area and UK excluding London.
Data information: Each total is based on a survey of individuals and is subject to a degree of uncertainty. Next update Oct 2025. Geography: North East CA (combined authority) area.
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. Next update: Oct 2025. Geography: North East CA (combined authority) area.
Data information: Economically inactive as a % of resident population. Each rate is based on surveys over a 12 month period. This chart shows data for non-overlapping 12 month periods. Next update: Oct 2025. Geography: North East CA (combined authority) area.
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. Next update Oct 2025. Geography: North East local authority (LA) areas; national comparisons. LA areas sorted by % of inactivity due to ill health.
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. Next update Oct 2025. Geography: North East local authority (LA) areas; national comparisons. LA areas sorted by overall inactivity rate.
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. Next update: Oct 2025 Geography: North East CA (combined authority) area.
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. Next update Oct 2025. Geography: North East CA (combined authority) area, UK excluding London.
Data information: Percentage of 16-64 population for both sexes by main reason cited for inactivity. Categories in the published data have been combined. Calculated rates based on rounded totals from survey data over a 12 month period. Next update: Oct 2025. Geography: North East CA (combined authority) area, UK excluding London.
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. Next update: Oct 2025. Geography: North East ITL1 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.
