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Economy and work in Oldham

Metropolitan borough

The east of the North West. 251,915 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 142 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for Oldham, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

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Claimants by neighbourhood

Claimant count (Nomis) · August 2026

Under 1070 or more

Oldham’s 142 neighbourhoods range from 5 to 265.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£34,042
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Oldham earned a median of £34,042 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Oldham among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Oldham is £34,042.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
10,170
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Oldham, 10,170 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

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People claiming out-of-work benefits: Oldham among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Oldham is 10,170.

Claimant rate

Council
6.5%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Oldham, 6.5% of residents aged 16 to 64 were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

For the UK as a whole, the figure was 3.9%.

Against North West
1.5 times4.2%
Against the UK
1.7 times3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Oldham among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Oldham is 6.5%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
64.3%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

64.3% of people aged 16 to 64 in Oldham were in work in the year to March 2026.

Oldham is 6th lowest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Oldham among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Oldham is 64.3%.