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Economy and work in Reading

Unitary authority

The north west of the South East. 183,762 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 40 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for Reading, 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

Reading’s 100 neighbourhoods range from 10 to 180.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£40,700
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Reading earned a median of £40,700 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Reading among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Reading is £40,700.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
5,360
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Reading, 5,360 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

Open in mapSource and method
People claiming out-of-work benefits: Reading among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Reading is 5,360.

Claimant rate

Council
4.3%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Reading, 4.3% 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 South East
39% higher3.1%
Against the UK
10% higher3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Reading among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Reading is 4.3%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
81.2%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

81.2% of people aged 16 to 64 in Reading were in work in the year to March 2026.

Reading is 57th highest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Reading among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Reading is 81.2%.