Strategic Evidence Base : People Covering data on the population, labour market and health in the North East IntroductionThis spotlight page explores the population of the North East, including their quality of life, education, skills and the regional labour market. The population in the North East is older than average and also slightly more likely to live in a rural area than England. While the population overall is more likely to live in deprived areas, the region does have below average levels of housing and living enviroment deprivation. Economic inactivity and ill health are both higher than average in the North East, with economic inactivity growing significantly post Covid-19. Lower labour market participation has an impact on the levels of deprivation in the North East.
Population and geographyPopulation in rural areas Expected population increase to 2048 The population of the North East has steadily increased since its trough in 2000, although growth has not been consistent across the whole area. Population growth over the last decade has been at less than half the rate of national change, reflecting: lower net domestic and international migration and lower levels of births due to the older population. The proportion of the North East population which is of working age is smaller than the national average. Although the population is expected to continue to grow, the working age population is set to fall in absolute terms over the next 25 years, with a big increase in the 65+ cohort. The North East has a slightly larger proportion of residents living in rural areas (21.1%) than England, excluding London (20.9%). In contrast, it also has 58% of its population living within a major conurbation (the Tyneside and Sunderland built up areas). The North East has a particularly high percentage of people living in rural towns and fringe areas (14.6% compared to 10.4%).
Population by single year of age, 2021 census, North EastSource:
2021 Census topic summary TS007 - age by single year (ONS via Nomis) Information about the data:
The census took place on 21 March 2021.
This dataset provides estimates that classify usual residents by single year of age.
The information provided by census respondents is adjusted to include estimates of non-respondents to provide definitive population estimates.
Estimates for single year of age between ages 90 and 100+ are less reliable than other ages.
Read MorePopulation by age group (%), North East, national comparisons, 2021 censusSource:
2021 Census topic summary TS007 - age by single year (ONS via Nomis) Information about the data:
The census took place on 21 March 2021.
This dataset provides estimates that classify usual residents by single year of age.
The information provided by census respondents is adjusted to include estimates of non-respondents to provide definitive population estimates.
Read MorePopulation, North East, 30-year time seriesSource: Population estimates - local authority based by single year of age (ONS via Nomis), mid-2023 estimates published 15 July 2024 Data information: The annual mid-year population estimates statistics roll forward the population statistics produced from decennial Censuses. Geography: North East Combined Authority area
Read MoreProportion of North East employment in Health North East employment in Manufacturing report very high life satisfaction in the North East Increasingly, a range of non-traditional economic indicators are used to provide a broader picture of economic, social and environmental conditions and quality of life. On the ‘Index of Multiple Deprivation’, the North East scores significantly worse than the national average on employment and health measures. Education & skills and outcomes are also below national average. Crime rates are above England rates, including prevalence of violent crime which has been increasing since 2020. In contrast, the North East scores above average for the quality of the living environment and housing. In some North East areas, there is a significant concentration of both deprivation and affluence, exacerbating inequalities and creating more polarised communities. 25% of people report very high life satisfaction in the North East region, in line with the national average and above London and the South East. Proportion of LSOAs within the most deprived 10% nationally by category (2019)
Read MoreProportion of most deprived LSOAs in each geographical area (2019)
Read MoreHow less likely North East FSM student are to achieve a good grade C in GCSE Maths and English 16 and 17yr olds Not in Education, Employment and Training or activities unknown Fewer than 25% workers have undertaken training in the last 3 months The North East has a higher proportion of residents with no formal qualifications than the national average, with the gap widening slightly in recent years. The number qualified to degree level is increasing, although the rate of improvement is slower than the rest of the country exc. London. Lower qualifications reflect both demographic factors (fewer young people and migrants who are typically more qualified) and lower attainment from education. Attainment is lower for those on Free School Meals and there are more children on Free School Meals in the North East. Children on Free School Meals in the North East are less likely to achieve Maths and English qualifications than is the case nationally, reflecting impact of high concentrations of poverty and deprivation. Significant decline in proportion of workforce undertaking in-work training and this is now lower than the national average. Qualifications, selected levels, 16-64 (%), 2004 onwards, North East, England excl. LondonSource: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis, last updated 16 Apr 2024, next update Apr 2025) Data information: Percentage of 16-64 population with no qualifications and with level 4 and above qualifications, data from surveys taken over twelve-month periods. Levels used in the latest release are from the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). Prior to 2022, National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) levels were used and the statistics are not directly comparable with the latest release.
Geography: North East MCA / LEP area, England excluding London
Read MoreStaff training, provision, establishments (%), by mode, North EastSource: Employer Skills Survey (DfE). Last updated 28 Sep 2023 (2022/23 survey data). Next update: Sep 2025 About the data: Based on telephone interviews of employers between June 2022 and March 2023. Geography: North East, calculated from data for the two combined authorities prior to May 2024.
Read MoreNEET/Not known rate (%), aged 16-17, geographical comparisons, 2023Source:
Participation in education, training and NEET age 16 to 17 by local authority (DfE). Last update 6 Jul 2023, next annual update Jul 2024. About the data:
Data is collected using the National Client Caseload Information System (NCCIS) This draws together local databases that are used to support young people to engage in education and training and to plan services that meet young people’s needs.
Participation estimates are based on data collected in March each year. In order to ensure the most robust estimates of NEET and not known rates an average of December/January/February data is used for an estimate around the end of the calendar year.
There is considerable variation at local authority level in how well 16 and 17 year olds are tracked. Therefore we present combined NEET and not known proportions. Geography:
North East LEP area totals are based on local authority area published unrounded statistics. England excluding London figures are based on rounded national and regional totals.
Read Moretotal job adverts in the North East in Q4 of 2023: of North East residents who are economically inactive are inactive due to ill-health of Universal Credit Claimants have claims lasting 3 years or more: The unemployment rate has fallen to below pre-pandemic levels and is at the lowest rate since records began 30 years ago, although pockets of high unemployment remain. But economic inactivity has increased sharply since the pandemic and the rate is much higher than the national average. The rise in inactivity includes a big increase in the number of people who are unable to work due to poor (mental and physical) health. There has also been an increase in the number of people retiring early. The employment rate in the North East area has been consistently below that of England excluding London. The vacancy rate fell over 2023, with levels now around the pre-pandemic rate. Health and care jobs are in particular demand and, in addition, there are high levels of adverts for jobs in retail and hospitality, in science and technology and in the education sector. Economic inactivity rate since 2004, North East, England excluding LondonSource: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis, last updated 18 Jul 2024, next update 15 Oct 2024) 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.
Read MoreEconomic inactivity by reason, North East, since 2004Source: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis, last updated: 18 Jul 2024, next update 15 Oct 2024) 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
Read MoreEconomic inactivity rate, by sex and age, North East, England excluding LondonSource: Annual Population Survey (ONS via Nomis, last updated: 18 Jul 2024, next update 15 Oct 2024) 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: The North East combined authority area and England excluding London.
Read MoreWeekly difference in median full time earnings between the North East and England of North East region children living in relative poverty are in working households of household spend in the North East region goes on transport Median income in the North East is the joint lowest in the core cities, with income gaps being larger at the higher income levels. The extent of part-time working in the North East is similar to nationally. Females are much more likely to work part-time. North East workers are more likely to be in non-permanent employment than nationally. The percentage has recently increased. Employment rates in the North East are much lower for disabled residents, groups of ethnic minority and women. The extent and severity of deprivation is more common in the North East than nationally, particularly health and employment related deprivation. Wages have not increased in-line with prices, with the impact of the cost of living crisis greater on lower-income households. Households in the North East region spend a higher % of their income on food and transport, where price increases have been particularly high. Median gross weekly wages since 2014 (£), North East, EnglandData information: Based on North East LEP area, England; earnings in workplaces in the selected geographies; not available for England excluding London; does not include information about self-employed people
Read MoreNumber of jobs with below living wage earnings in North East (2014 - 2022)
Read MoreAbsolute child poverty by North East local authorities
Read MoreLower healthy life expectancy compared to England In the number of school sessions missed due to illness amongst NECA pupils since 2012/13 of North East region year 6 pupils were considered obese in 2022/23: There is a significant gap in healthy life expectancy between the North East and national average for both men and women and an even greater gap between communities in the North East. Poor health in the North East contributes to lower life expectancy, with contributory factors including above average tobacco and alcohol consumption, and effects of childhood obesity above the national average. The North East Region has one of the highest sickness absence rates of all English regions over the last five years, with the North East region taking 1.2 days more leave per worker than the England average. Prevalence of common mental health disorders in the North East is 2nd highest after London and is on the rise. Life expectancy at birth in the North East region over time
Read MoreChange in life expectancy at birth in the North East and England
Read MoreNorth East and England healthy life expectancy at birth
Read MoreFurther data |