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Economy and work in Wigan

Metropolitan borough

The middle of the North West. 347,089 people in 188 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for Wigan, 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

Wigan’s 200 neighbourhoods range from 5 to 165.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£37,377
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Wigan earned a median of £37,377 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Wigan among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Wigan is £37,377.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
7,795
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Wigan, 7,795 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

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People claiming out-of-work benefits: Wigan among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Wigan is 7,795.

Claimant rate

Council
3.6%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Wigan, 3.6% 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
14% lower4.2%
Against the UK
8% lower3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Wigan among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Wigan is 3.6%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
72.1%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

72.1% of people aged 16 to 64 in Wigan were in work in the year to March 2026.

Wigan is 74th lowest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Wigan among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Wigan is 72.1%.