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Economy and work in Southampton

Unitary authority

The south west of the South East. 259,230 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 50 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for Southampton, 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

Southampton’s 152 neighbourhoods range from 10 to 165.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£37,130
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Southampton earned a median of £37,130 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Southampton among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Southampton is £37,130.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
7,440
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Southampton, 7,440 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

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People claiming out-of-work benefits: Southampton among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Southampton is 7,440.

Claimant rate

Council
4.2%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Southampton, 4.2% 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
35% higher3.1%
Against the UK
8% higher3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Southampton among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Southampton is 4.2%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
73.3%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

73.3% of people aged 16 to 64 in Southampton were in work in the year to March 2026.

Southampton is joint 101st lowest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Southampton among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Southampton is 73.3%.