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Economy and work in Bristol

Unitary authority

The north east of the South West. 495,260 people in 109 square kilometres.

4 layers about economy and work for Bristol, 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

Bristol’s 268 neighbourhoods range from 5 to 210.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£39,509
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Bristol earned a median of £39,509 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Bristol among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Bristol is £39,509.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
12,755
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Bristol, 12,755 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

Open in mapSource and method
People claiming out-of-work benefits: Bristol among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Bristol is 12,755.

Claimant rate

Council
3.6%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Bristol, 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 South West
33% higher2.7%
Against the UK
8% lower3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Bristol among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Bristol is 3.6%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
79.8%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

79.8% of people aged 16 to 64 in Bristol were in work in the year to March 2026.

Bristol is joint 81st highest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Bristol among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Bristol is 79.8%.