North West England employment rate: aged 16 to 64
North West England employment rate: aged 16 to 64 stood at 73.8% in Mar 2026, according to Nomis — official labour market statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Labour market structure table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Dec 2004 to Mar 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Labour market structure table
| Indicator | 03-2026 | 12-2025 | 09-2025 | 06-2025 | 03-2025 | 12-2024 | 09-2024 | 06-2024 | 03-2024 | 12-2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment rate, aged 16 to 64 | |||||||||||
| North West | 73.8 | 74 | 74.2 | 74.1 | 73.7 | 73.2 | 72.9 | 72.8 | 73.2 | 73.8 | |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 73.3 | 73.2 | 73.2 | 73.4 | 73.5 | 73.3 | 73 | 72.9 | 73.1 | 74.2 |
Understanding north West England employment rate: aged 16 to 64
Sample-based household interviews underpin this metric, capturing the percentage of residents aged sixteen to sixty-four in North West England who report undertaking paid employment. The numerator encompasses full-time and part-time employees, self-employed workers, and those on government training schemes who maintain a permanent residence in the specified geography. Excluded from the active workforce count are full-time students without jobs, retired individuals, and those unable to work due to long-term illness.
When examining this series, analysts must account for potential survey volatility caused by smaller sample bases than those available at the national level. Comparing identical periods across consecutive years helps mitigate seasonal distortions arising from temporary or holiday employment. Early estimates are subject to retrospective adjustments when survey weights are benchmarked against updated demographic projections. Care should be taken not to equate this residential measure with workplace statistics that count jobs situated inside commercial premises within the region.
Frequently asked questions
- Are individuals working outside North West England included if they live in the region?
- Yes, anyone whose main residence is in the area and who undertakes paid work is counted as employed, regardless of their workplace location.
- How does this differ from claimant count measures published for the same area?
- This survey metric covers all forms of employment and non-employment, whereas claimant counts only track those receiving specific unemployment-related benefits.
- Why is a twelve-month comparison often recommended over quarter-on-quarter analysis?
- Year-on-year evaluation filters out predictable seasonal hiring patterns that occur at specific times during the calendar year.