Edinburgh. (Photo: iStock)

In the context of strengthening the UK economy and boosting productivity, the number of people choosing not to work has ...

Facebook
X
LinkedIn

In the context of strengthening the UK economy and boosting productivity, the number of people choosing not to work has become an increasingly material factor. The levels of economic inactivity among people who are of working age but are not seeking employment varies widely across the country. 

Across the UK as a whole, the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who are not in employment or actively seeking work is 21.5%. However, the spatial intelligence model EvaluateLocate reports that this nationwide average masks substantial location-specific variations.

Across 10 major cities analysed by EvaluateLocate this month, inactivity rates varied from 16.6% in Bristol to 28.5% in Newcastle. After Bristol, Edinburgh had the next best (lowest) inactivity rate at 17.4%. These differing levels of inactivity among those of working age is mirrored by these cities’ overall economic momentum.

During the past 12-months, the EvaluateLocate Economic Vitality Index (EVI) rose by 2.9% in Bristol and 2.4% in Edinburgh but fell by -1.9% in Newcastle. 

 CITY ECONOMICINACTIVITY RATE* (% of people aged 16-64 not in work or looking for work)  ECONOMIC MOMENTUM*(12-mth change in economicvitality index) 
Bristol16.6%+2.9%
Edinburgh17.4%+2.4%
Greater London19.8%+0.8%
Cardiff20.0%+2.1%
Belfast25.2%+3.9%
Leeds25.3%+0.5%
Liverpool25.9%+1.2%
Birmingham26.9%+1.5%
Manchester27.3%+3%
Newcastle28.5%-1.9%

*Source:evaluatelocate.com

EvaluateLocate CEO Adam Kirby commented: “Economic inactivity is caused by a variety of reasons – and is not always a consequence of choice.

“However, this analysis underlines how much the phenomenon varies across different parts of the UK – and how much the proportion of people in work impacts the overall health and vitality of local economies.

“On a more positive note, this hyper-local analysis also highlights areas with a positive story to tell on jobs and vitality.  In this respect, Bristol clearly has an economy and workforce which is doing well to minimise economic inactivity.

“Similarly, the headline trend for this aspect of the UK economy is slowly improving: the national inactivity rate fell slightly in the past 12 months, while our vitality index rating is showing steady recovery across a growing number of locations. The index rating for the UK as a whole has now shown positive monthly growth since August last year.”

The EvaluateLocate Economic Vitality Index rates every location in the UK from postcode district level upwards and is driven by analysis of 100+ economic and demographic metrics.

EvaluateLocate data can be accessed here.

Related stories from SBN

New business agreement to boost business between Glasgow and Germany
BrewDog founder launches Government ‘efficiency watchdog’, following Musk’s lead
Dundee’s DEW products accelerates global expansion with Michelin Development support
Renewed partnership to boost disability sport in Scotland
Equinor UK joins energy leaders’ Coalition to drive gender balance and inclusion
New custom site designation strengthens position of Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport as a world-leading renewables hub

Other stories from SBN