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Economy and work in Sunderland

Metropolitan borough

The north east of the North East. 287,070 people in 137 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for Sunderland, 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

Sunderland’s 185 neighbourhoods range from 5 to 140.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£32,744
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Sunderland earned a median of £32,744 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Sunderland among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Sunderland is £32,744.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
6,865
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Sunderland, 6,865 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

Open in mapSource and method
People claiming out-of-work benefits: Sunderland among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Sunderland is 6,865.

Claimant rate

Council
3.8%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Sunderland, 3.8% 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 East
3% higher3.7%
Against the UK
3% lower3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Sunderland among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Sunderland is 3.8%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
70.1%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

70.1% of people aged 16 to 64 in Sunderland were in work in the year to March 2026.

Sunderland is 47th lowest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Sunderland among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Sunderland is 70.1%.