Key economic statistics: September 2020

The most recent data in this report is for the three months to July 2020.

While the whole of the time period for these Labour Force Survey estimates cover the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, other data sources offer a timelier and more complete picture in understanding the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

Employment rate

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Wales: The employment rate in Wales was 74.7%. This is 0.3 percentage points up on the quarter and unchanged on the year.

UK: The UK employment rate was 76.5%. This is 0.1 percentage points up on the quarter and 0.4 percentage points up on the year.

Unemployment rate

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Wales: The unemployment rate in Wales was 3.1%. This is 0.1 percentage points up on the quarter and 0.7 percentage points down on the year.

UK: The UK unemployment rate was 4.1%. This is 0.2 percentage points up on the quarter and 0.3 percentage points up on the year.

Economic inactivity rate

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Wales: The economic inactivity rate in Wales was 22.9%. This is 0.4 percentage points down on the quarter and 0.6 percentage points up on the year.

UK: The UK economic inactivity rate was 20.2%. This is 0.3 percentage points down on the quarter and 0.6 percentage points down on the year.

Monthly earnings from Pay As You Earn Real Time Information

Median pay has grown in recent years but has fallen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic up until June 2020.

In the three months to July 2020, the median monthly pay increased across all 12 UK countries and English regions. In Wales, median pay returned to similar levels seen at the beginning of the year.

In the three months to July 2020, the median monthly pay for Wales was £1,726. This is less than the UK average of £1,828 per month.

Compared with the same period the previous year, Wales saw an increase in monthly pay of 1.6% - the second fastest growth across the 12 UK countries and regions.