The Datum Report

Sub-region

Merseyside

What we think is happening

The job market in Merseyside has been weakening.

deteriorating · established confidence · formed 5 October 2026 · how we reached this

What is distinctive here

These moved unusually against comparable areas, and did not simply move with them. A change shared with everywhere else is a fact about the country, not this place.

MeasurePeriodValueChangeAgainst peers
Businesses employing 0 to 4 people 2026 33,150 +1,085 in the top 4% of 46
Businesses 2026 43,540 +1,315 in the top 4% of 46

Moving with the rest of the country

Shown separately because these say something about the country rather than about Merseyside.

By subject

Every figure published for Merseyside. Open a subject to see them, each with its history and its source. Where a producer splits the area into many categories, those sit behind a further disclosure.

Labour market 11
7.3%
5.36.88.42020-03-31: 8.12020-06-30: 7.62020-09-30: 6.82020-12-31: 6.22021-03-31: 6.22021-06-30: 6.42021-09-30: 7.02021-12-31: 6.92022-03-31: 7.12022-06-30: 6.72022-09-30: 7.12022-12-31: 7.72023-03-31: 7.72023-06-30: 8.12023-09-30: 7.02023-12-31: 6.72024-03-31: 6.52024-06-30: 5.62024-09-30: 6.42024-12-31: 6.82025-03-31: 7.52025-06-30: 7.92025-09-30: 7.62025-12-31: 7.72026-03-31: 7.3 2020-03 2026-03
25 monthly readings · 5.6 to 8.1 · axis starts at 5.3

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
±1.0, basis not documented by the producer

Employment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
73.1%
69.772.675.42020-03-31: 73.42020-06-30: 73.22020-09-30: 72.72020-12-31: 72.82021-03-31: 72.22021-06-30: 72.52021-09-30: 73.82021-12-31: 73.72022-03-31: 74.92022-06-30: 74.82022-09-30: 73.02022-12-31: 73.72023-03-31: 73.32023-06-30: 72.92023-09-30: 73.92023-12-31: 72.02024-03-31: 71.52024-06-30: 70.32024-09-30: 70.52024-12-31: 70.62025-03-31: 71.42025-06-30: 72.42025-09-30: 72.02025-12-31: 72.72026-03-31: 73.1 2020-03 2026-03
25 monthly readings · 70.3 to 74.9 · axis starts at 69.7

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
±1.6, basis not documented by the producer

Unemployment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
4.9%
2.84.35.92020-03-31: 3.72020-06-30: 3.72020-09-30: 3.72020-12-31: 3.62021-03-31: 4.42021-06-30: 4.72021-09-30: 4.62021-12-31: 4.72022-03-31: 3.92022-06-30: 3.52022-09-30: 3.32022-12-31: 3.12023-03-31: 3.42023-06-30: 3.82023-09-30: 4.02024-03-31: 5.62024-06-30: 5.22024-09-30: 4.92024-12-31: 4.82025-03-31: 4.52025-06-30: 4.52025-09-30: 5.02025-12-31: 52026-03-31: 4.9 2020-03 2026-03
24 monthly readings · 3.1 to 5.6 · axis starts at 2.8

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
±0.9, basis not documented by the producer
1 earlier period withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

23.1%
21.724.026.42020-03-31: 23.82020-06-30: 23.92020-09-30: 24.52020-12-31: 24.42021-03-31: 24.52021-06-30: 23.92021-09-30: 22.72021-12-31: 22.72022-03-31: 22.12022-06-30: 22.52022-09-30: 24.52022-12-31: 24.02023-03-31: 24.12023-06-30: 24.22023-09-30: 23.02023-12-31: 24.22024-03-31: 24.32024-06-30: 25.92024-09-30: 25.92024-12-31: 25.82025-03-31: 25.32025-06-30: 24.12025-09-30: 24.32025-12-31: 23.52026-03-31: 23.1 2020-03 2026-03
25 monthly readings · 22.1 to 25.9 · axis starts at 21.7

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
±1.6, basis not documented by the producer

Claimant count
August 2026
44,700
35k58k82k2020-01-31: 40k2020-02-29: 41k2020-03-31: 42k2020-04-30: 68k2020-05-31: 77k2020-06-30: 75k2020-07-31: 75k2020-08-31: 76k2020-09-30: 75k2020-10-31: 73k2020-11-30: 74k2020-12-31: 73k2021-01-31: 72k2021-02-28: 75k2021-03-31: 75k2021-04-30: 74k2021-05-31: 70k2021-06-30: 66k2021-07-31: 64k2021-08-31: 62k2021-09-30: 59k2021-10-31: 57k2021-11-30: 54k2021-12-31: 52k2022-01-31: 51k2022-02-28: 52k2022-03-31: 50k2022-04-30: 48k2022-05-31: 47k2022-06-30: 46k2022-07-31: 45k2022-08-31: 45k2022-09-30: 44k2022-10-31: 44k2022-11-30: 44k2022-12-31: 44k2023-01-31: 43k2023-02-28: 44k2023-03-31: 46k2023-04-30: 46k2023-05-31: 44k2023-06-30: 44k2023-07-31: 45k2023-08-31: 44k2023-09-30: 44k2023-10-31: 44k2023-11-30: 44k2023-12-31: 44k2024-01-31: 43k2024-02-29: 44k2024-03-31: 44k2024-04-30: 44k2024-05-31: 44k2024-06-30: 45k2024-07-31: 49k2024-08-31: 48k2024-09-30: 48k2024-10-31: 48k2024-11-30: 47k2024-12-31: 46k2025-01-31: 45k2025-02-28: 47k2025-03-31: 47k2025-04-30: 46k2025-05-31: 45k2025-06-30: 45k2025-07-31: 44k2025-08-31: 44k2025-09-30: 44k2025-10-31: 44k2025-11-30: 43k2025-12-31: 43k2026-01-31: 43k2026-02-28: 44k2026-03-31: 45k2026-04-30: 44k2026-05-31: 44k2026-06-30: 44k2026-07-31: 43k2026-08-31: 45k 2020-01 2026-08
80 monthly readings · 40k to 77k · axis starts at 35k

ONS / DWP, Claimant count by sex and age, published 15 September 2026

4.4%
4.34.34.42026-01-31: 4.32026-02-28: 4.42026-03-31: 4.42026-04-30: 4.42026-05-31: 4.42026-06-30: 4.32026-07-31: 4.32026-08-31: 4.4 2026-01 2026-08
8 monthly readings · 4.3 to 4.4 · axis starts at 4.3

ONS / DWP, Claimant count by sex and age, published 15 September 2026
72 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

% of economically inactive 5
0.3%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
24 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

36.5%
27.433.038.52020-03-31: 29.62020-06-30: 29.42020-09-30: 29.52020-12-31: 28.52021-03-31: 29.62021-06-30: 31.12021-09-30: 29.72021-12-31: 30.92022-03-31: 29.02022-06-30: 28.82022-09-30: 31.72022-12-31: 34.72023-03-31: 37.22023-06-30: 36.32023-09-30: 37.52023-12-31: 34.52024-03-31: 33.62024-06-30: 34.62024-09-30: 31.62024-12-31: 29.52025-03-31: 32.22025-06-30: 31.62025-09-30: 36.72025-12-31: 37.22026-03-31: 36.5 2020-03 2026-03
25 monthly readings · 28.5 to 37.5 · axis starts at 27.4

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
±3.8, basis not documented by the producer

16.9%
13.018.423.72020-03-31: 21.52020-06-30: 22.62020-09-30: 21.22020-12-31: 20.92021-03-31: 18.32021-06-30: 17.32021-09-30: 17.42021-12-31: 17.12022-03-31: 17.32022-06-30: 16.42022-09-30: 16.02022-12-31: 15.02023-03-31: 14.12023-06-30: 14.12023-12-31: 16.42024-03-31: 18.52024-06-30: 16.22024-09-30: 17.02024-12-31: 15.52025-03-31: 15.72025-06-30: 17.42025-09-30: 17.02025-12-31: 16.32026-03-31: 16.9 2020-03 2026-03
24 monthly readings · 14.1 to 22.6 · axis starts at 13.0

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
±3.0, basis not documented by the producer
1 earlier period withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

8.6%
8.011.214.42020-03-31: 11.32020-06-30: 11.42020-09-30: 11.82020-12-31: 11.52021-03-31: 12.32021-06-30: 12.62021-09-30: 13.42021-12-31: 13.82022-03-31: 13.72022-06-30: 13.72022-09-30: 13.52022-12-31: 13.32023-03-31: 11.32023-06-30: 9.92023-09-30: 11.12023-12-31: 11.42024-06-30: 11.92024-09-30: 11.12024-12-31: 10.82025-03-31: 11.12025-06-30: 11.32025-09-30: 10.22025-12-31: 9.32026-03-31: 8.6 2020-03 2026-03
24 monthly readings · 8.6 to 13.8 · axis starts at 8.0

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
±2.2, basis not documented by the producer
1 earlier period withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

24.2%
21.225.229.32020-03-31: 23.42020-06-30: 22.72020-09-30: 24.02020-12-31: 25.32021-03-31: 27.22021-06-30: 27.32021-09-30: 27.82021-12-31: 27.12022-03-31: 28.52022-06-30: 28.52022-09-30: 26.12022-12-31: 25.12023-03-31: 24.32023-06-30: 26.92023-09-30: 28.02023-12-31: 28.12024-03-31: 26.12024-06-30: 25.82024-09-30: 25.32024-12-31: 27.92025-03-31: 25.62025-06-30: 24.02025-09-30: 22.02025-12-31: 22.62026-03-31: 24.2 2020-03 2026-03
25 monthly readings · 22.0 to 28.5 · axis starts at 21.2

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
±3.4, basis not documented by the producer

Pay 1
£21,536
7,70015k23k1997-12-31: 9,1821998-12-31: 9,3351999-12-31: 9,8122000-12-31: 10k2001-12-31: 11k2002-12-31: 11k2003-12-31: 11k2004-12-31: 12k2005-12-31: 12k2006-12-31: 12k2007-12-31: 13k2008-12-31: 13k2009-12-31: 14k2010-12-31: 14k2011-12-31: 14k2012-12-31: 14k2013-12-31: 15k2014-12-31: 15k2015-12-31: 16k2016-12-31: 16k2017-12-31: 16k2018-12-31: 17k2019-12-31: 17k2020-12-31: 18k2021-12-31: 18k2022-12-31: 19k2023-12-31: 20k2024-12-31: 22k 1997-12 2024-12
28 annual readings · 9,182 to 22k · axis starts at 7,700

ONS, Gross disposable household income per head

Business 12
Businesses
2026
43,540
29k37k46k2010-03-31: 31k2011-03-31: 31k2012-03-31: 31k2013-03-31: 32k2014-03-31: 34k2015-03-31: 38k2016-03-31: 39k2017-03-31: 42k2018-03-31: 42k2019-03-31: 43k2020-03-31: 43k2021-03-31: 44k2022-03-31: 44k2023-03-31: 43k2024-03-31: 42k2025-03-31: 42k2026-03-31: 44k 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 31k to 44k · axis starts at 29k

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises, published 24 September 2026

33,150
21k28k35k2010-03-31: 23k2011-03-31: 22k2012-03-31: 22k2013-03-31: 22k2014-03-31: 24k2015-03-31: 27k2016-03-31: 29k2017-03-31: 32k2018-03-31: 32k2019-03-31: 32k2020-03-31: 33k2021-03-31: 34k2022-03-31: 33k2023-03-31: 32k2024-03-31: 32k2025-03-31: 32k2026-03-31: 33k 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 22k to 34k · axis starts at 21k

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 24 September 2026

2,760
2,1232,4952,8672010-03-31: 2,3152011-03-31: 2,1952012-03-31: 2,3452013-03-31: 2,3902014-03-31: 2,5102015-03-31: 2,6202016-03-31: 2,5452017-03-31: 2,5902018-03-31: 2,6302019-03-31: 2,6352020-03-31: 2,6852021-03-31: 2,6202022-03-31: 2,7002023-03-31: 2,7952024-03-31: 2,6902025-03-31: 2,6952026-03-31: 2,760 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 2,195 to 2,795 · axis starts at 2,123

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 24 September 2026

270
2172603032010-03-31: 2252011-03-31: 2352012-03-31: 2352013-03-31: 2452014-03-31: 2602015-03-31: 2752016-03-31: 2852017-03-31: 2902018-03-31: 2952019-03-31: 2852020-03-31: 2802021-03-31: 2702022-03-31: 2852023-03-31: 2902024-03-31: 2902025-03-31: 2752026-03-31: 270 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 225 to 295 · axis starts at 217

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 24 September 2026

65
48.257.566.82010-03-31: 602011-03-31: 502012-03-31: 552013-03-31: 502014-03-31: 552015-03-31: 552016-03-31: 552017-03-31: 552018-03-31: 552019-03-31: 552020-03-31: 552021-03-31: 552022-03-31: 602023-03-31: 652024-03-31: 602025-03-31: 602026-03-31: 65 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 50 to 65 · axis starts at 48.2

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 24 September 2026

1,560
1,2351,4151,5952010-03-31: 1,3152011-03-31: 1,2952012-03-31: 1,2702013-03-31: 1,3952014-03-31: 1,4402015-03-31: 1,4652016-03-31: 1,4802017-03-31: 1,4902018-03-31: 1,4852019-03-31: 1,4902020-03-31: 1,4952021-03-31: 1,4702022-03-31: 1,4902023-03-31: 1,5352024-03-31: 1,5352025-03-31: 1,5152026-03-31: 1,560 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 1,270 to 1,560 · axis starts at 1,235

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 24 September 2026

85
45.27094.82010-03-31: 502011-03-31: 602012-03-31: 652013-03-31: 552014-03-31: 652015-03-31: 602016-03-31: 752017-03-31: 702018-03-31: 752019-03-31: 802020-03-31: 852021-03-31: 852022-03-31: 802023-03-31: 902024-03-31: 852025-03-31: 852026-03-31: 85 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 50 to 90 · axis starts at 45.2

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 24 September 2026

5,070
4,2844,8055,3262010-03-31: 4,3952011-03-31: 4,3852012-03-31: 4,6352013-03-31: 4,6052014-03-31: 4,7652015-03-31: 5,2252016-03-31: 4,9902017-03-31: 4,9802018-03-31: 5,0802019-03-31: 5,0502020-03-31: 5,1402021-03-31: 5,1802022-03-31: 5,1802023-03-31: 5,1352024-03-31: 5,0902025-03-31: 4,9552026-03-31: 5,070 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 4,385 to 5,225 · axis starts at 4,284

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 24 September 2026

525
4134755372010-03-31: 4552011-03-31: 4252012-03-31: 4552013-03-31: 4602014-03-31: 4602015-03-31: 4702016-03-31: 4552017-03-31: 4652018-03-31: 4602019-03-31: 4752020-03-31: 5052021-03-31: 5152022-03-31: 5052023-03-31: 5202024-03-31: 5252025-03-31: 5202026-03-31: 525 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 425 to 525 · axis starts at 413

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 24 September 2026

55
20.842.564.22010-03-31: 452011-03-31: 352012-03-31: 302013-03-31: 352014-03-31: 252015-03-31: 302016-03-31: 402017-03-31: 302018-03-31: 402019-03-31: 452020-03-31: 402021-03-31: 452022-03-31: 502023-03-31: 452024-03-31: 552025-03-31: 602026-03-31: 55 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 25 to 60 · axis starts at 20.8

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 24 September 2026

53,095
39k47k55k2010-03-31: 42k2011-03-31: 41k2012-03-31: 41k2013-03-31: 42k2014-03-31: 44k2015-03-31: 48k2016-03-31: 49k2017-03-31: 52k2018-03-31: 52k2019-03-31: 52k2020-03-31: 53k2021-03-31: 54k2022-03-31: 53k2023-03-31: 53k2024-03-31: 52k2025-03-31: 52k2026-03-31: 53k 2010-03 2026-03
17 annual readings · 41k to 54k · axis starts at 39k

ONS, UK Business Counts - local units, published 24 September 2026

43,315
13k30k47k1998-12-31: 16k1999-12-31: 17k2000-12-31: 18k2001-12-31: 19k2002-12-31: 20k2003-12-31: 21k2004-12-31: 23k2005-12-31: 23k2006-12-31: 25k2007-12-31: 25k2008-12-31: 27k2009-12-31: 27k2010-12-31: 27k2011-12-31: 27k2012-12-31: 27k2013-12-31: 28k2014-12-31: 29k2015-12-31: 30k2016-12-31: 31k2017-12-31: 32k2018-12-31: 32k2019-12-31: 34k2020-12-31: 33k2021-12-31: 36k2022-12-31: 40k2023-12-31: 43k 1998-12 2023-12
26 annual readings · 16k to 43k · axis starts at 13k

ONS, Gross value added, published 16 October 2025

Local authorities in Merseyside

Halton · Knowsley · Liverpool · Sefton · St. Helens · Wirral