The Datum Report

Parliamentary constituency

Forest of Dean

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
Claimant count August 2026 1,450 +90 in the top 2% of 650
% aged 16-64 who are self employed Apr 2025-Mar 2026 10.8% -3.3 in the bottom 3% of 629
Employment rate - aged 16-64 Apr 2025-Mar 2026 73.7% -5.4 in the bottom 4% of 632
% who are economically inactive - aged 16-64 Apr 2025-Mar 2026 24.0% +4.2 in the top 5% of 632

By subject

Every figure published for Forest of Dean. 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
10.8%
6.015.424.72021-09-30: 8.42021-12-31: 9.12022-03-31: 9.62022-06-30: 8.22022-09-30: 9.52022-12-31: 9.12023-03-31: 7.82023-06-30: 12.72023-09-30: 16.22023-12-31: 19.72024-03-31: 22.92024-06-30: 21.62024-09-30: 14.32024-12-31: 13.92025-03-31: 15.72025-06-30: 12.32025-09-30: 17.42025-12-31: 14.12026-03-31: 10.8 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 7.8 to 22.9 · axis starts at 6.0

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
±6.7, basis not documented by the producer

Employment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
73.7%
68.878.387.82021-09-30: 73.52021-12-31: 75.72022-03-31: 752022-06-30: 722022-09-30: 72.22022-12-31: 70.62023-03-31: 75.22023-06-30: 81.32023-09-30: 81.82023-12-31: 83.12024-03-31: 83.52024-06-30: 82.42024-09-30: 83.32024-12-31: 84.22025-03-31: 82.32025-06-30: 852025-09-30: 862025-12-31: 79.12026-03-31: 73.7 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 70.6 to 86 · axis starts at 68.8

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
±9.5, basis not documented by the producer

Unemployment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
—
2.44.15.72021-09-30: 2.72021-12-31: 2.72022-03-31: 2.92022-06-30: 5.42022-09-30: 5.22022-12-31: 4.52023-03-31: 4.4 2021-09 2023-03
7 monthly readings · 2.7 to 5.4 · axis starts at 2.4

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
12 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

24.0%
12.520.127.62021-09-30: 24.52021-12-31: 22.22022-03-31: 22.72022-06-30: 23.92022-09-30: 23.82022-12-31: 26.12023-03-31: 21.32023-06-30: 17.72023-09-30: 18.22023-12-31: 16.22024-03-31: 15.82024-06-30: 16.72024-09-30: 15.42024-12-31: 15.82025-03-31: 17.72025-06-30: 152025-09-30: 142025-12-31: 19.82026-03-31: 24 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 14 to 26.1 · axis starts at 12.5

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
±9.2, basis not documented by the producer

Claimant count
August 2026
1,450
1,1231,4421,7622021-09-30: 1,6452021-10-31: 1,6352021-11-30: 1,5452021-12-31: 1,4952022-01-31: 1,4352022-02-28: 1,3952022-03-31: 1,3252022-04-30: 1,2552022-05-31: 1,2402022-06-30: 1,1902022-07-31: 1,1852022-08-31: 1,2302022-09-30: 1,2402022-10-31: 1,2002022-11-30: 1,2452022-12-31: 1,2352023-01-31: 1,2702023-02-28: 1,2902023-03-31: 1,2902023-04-30: 1,2902023-05-31: 1,2402023-06-30: 1,2352023-07-31: 1,2452023-08-31: 1,2352023-09-30: 1,2452023-10-31: 1,2952023-11-30: 1,3302023-12-31: 1,3652024-01-31: 1,4252024-02-29: 1,5252024-03-31: 1,5252024-04-30: 1,5552024-05-31: 1,5652024-06-30: 1,6352024-07-31: 1,7002024-08-31: 1,6602024-09-30: 1,6402024-10-31: 1,5552024-11-30: 1,5152024-12-31: 1,4852025-01-31: 1,4802025-02-28: 1,5202025-03-31: 1,4702025-04-30: 1,4202025-05-31: 1,3902025-06-30: 1,4102025-07-31: 1,3802025-08-31: 1,3952025-09-30: 1,4402025-10-31: 1,4402025-11-30: 1,4552025-12-31: 1,4102026-01-31: 1,4152026-02-28: 1,4202026-03-31: 1,4302026-04-30: 1,4052026-05-31: 1,3352026-06-30: 1,3402026-07-31: 1,3602026-08-31: 1,450 2021-09 2026-08
60 monthly readings · 1,185 to 1,700 · axis starts at 1,123

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

2.6%
2.12.73.22021-09-30: 3.12021-10-31: 32021-11-30: 2.92021-12-31: 2.82022-01-31: 2.72022-02-28: 2.62022-03-31: 2.42022-04-30: 2.32022-05-31: 2.32022-06-30: 2.22022-07-31: 2.22022-08-31: 2.32022-09-30: 2.32022-10-31: 2.22022-11-30: 2.32022-12-31: 2.32023-01-31: 2.32023-02-28: 2.42023-03-31: 2.32023-04-30: 2.42023-05-31: 2.32023-06-30: 2.22023-07-31: 2.32023-08-31: 2.32023-09-30: 2.32023-10-31: 2.42023-11-30: 2.42023-12-31: 2.52024-01-31: 2.62024-02-29: 2.82024-03-31: 2.82024-04-30: 2.82024-05-31: 2.82024-06-30: 32024-07-31: 3.12024-08-31: 32024-09-30: 32024-10-31: 2.82024-11-30: 2.82024-12-31: 2.72025-01-31: 2.72025-02-28: 2.82025-03-31: 2.72025-04-30: 2.62025-05-31: 2.52025-06-30: 2.62025-07-31: 2.52025-08-31: 2.52025-09-30: 2.62025-10-31: 2.62025-11-30: 2.62025-12-31: 2.62026-01-31: 2.62026-02-28: 2.62026-03-31: 2.62026-04-30: 2.62026-05-31: 2.42026-06-30: 2.42026-07-31: 2.52026-08-31: 2.6 2021-09 2026-08
60 monthly readings · 2.2 to 3.1 · axis starts at 2.1

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

% of economically inactive 5
—

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
19 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

17.8%
11.731.451.12021-09-30: 45.22021-12-31: 47.32022-03-31: 19.52022-06-30: 15.52022-09-30: 18.22022-12-31: 172023-06-30: 16.62023-09-30: 22.82023-12-31: 24.52024-03-31: 24.82024-06-30: 392024-09-30: 37.92024-12-31: 30.12025-03-31: 33.82025-06-30: 22.62025-09-30: 19.22025-12-31: 212026-03-31: 17.8 2021-09 2026-03
18 monthly readings · 15.5 to 47.3 · axis starts at 11.7

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

—
6.617.428.12021-09-30: 17.62021-12-31: 14.82022-03-31: 14.92022-06-30: 8.72022-09-30: 13.22022-12-31: 14.82023-03-31: 20.82023-06-30: 14.22024-06-30: 15.52024-09-30: 25.32024-12-31: 262025-03-31: 22.82025-06-30: 23.1 2021-09 2025-06
13 monthly readings · 8.7 to 26 · axis starts at 6.6

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
6 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

41.4%
8.528.047.62021-09-30: 12.32021-12-31: 16.22022-03-31: 22.42022-06-30: 18.52022-09-30: 192022-12-31: 21.52023-03-31: 15.92023-06-30: 25.62023-09-30: 19.72023-12-31: 15.12024-03-31: 15.92025-03-31: 16.32025-06-30: 23.52025-09-30: 43.82025-12-31: 34.72026-03-31: 41.4 2021-09 2026-03
16 monthly readings · 12.3 to 43.8 · axis starts at 8.5

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

—
13.328.042.62021-09-30: 16.12021-12-31: 16.52022-03-31: 32.92022-06-30: 39.82022-09-30: 31.92022-12-31: 30.32023-03-31: 25.62023-06-30: 23.42025-03-31: 16.4 2021-09 2025-03
9 monthly readings · 16.1 to 39.8 · axis starts at 13.3

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
10 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

Pay 2
10.018.927.810th10th · 2023-04-30: £11.6810th · 2024-04-30: £12.0010th · 2025-04-30: £13.0325th25th · 2023-04-30: £14.5025th · 2024-04-30: £13.9925th · 2025-04-30: £15.38MedianMedian · 2023-04-30: £18.18Median · 2024-04-30: £17.25Median · 2025-04-30: £19.8575th75th · 2023-04-30: £24.7775th · 2024-04-30: £22.8375th · 2025-04-30: £26.05 2023-04 2025-04
3 periods · 10th, 25th, Median, 75th · axis starts at 10.0
10th25thMedian75th90th
£13.03£15.38£19.85£26.05—

ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings - resident analysis, published 3 November 2025
coefficient of variation 3.1%

9.913.517.010th10th · 2023-04-30: £10.6010th · 2024-04-30: £11.7610th · 2025-04-30: £12.5625th25th · 2023-04-30: £11.9225th · 2024-04-30: £12.2525th · 2025-04-30: £13.84MedianMedian · 2023-04-30: £14.65Median · 2024-04-30: £15.42Median · 2025-04-30: £16.35 2023-04 2025-04
3 periods · 10th, 25th, Median · axis starts at 9.9
10th25thMedian75th90th
£12.56£13.84£16.35——

ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings - workplace analysis, published 3 November 2025
coefficient of variation 9.0%

Business 11
Businesses
2025
4,125

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises, published 14 October 2025

3,260

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

205

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

15

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

0

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

120

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

0

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

490

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

35

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

0

ONS, UK Business Counts - enterprises by size band, published 14 October 2025

4,525

ONS, UK Business Counts - local units, published 14 October 2025

Broken down further 88

One breakdown with many categories. These are never ranked against other areas: a comparison that pools thousands of rows into one peer set produces rankings that mean nothing.

MeasureLatestPeriod
01 : Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities 75 2024
02 : Forestry and logging 125 2024
03 : Fishing and aquaculture 0 2024
05 : Mining of coal and lignite 0 2024
06 : Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas 0 2024
07 : Mining of metal ores 0 2024
08 : Other mining and quarrying 20 2024
09 : Mining support service activities 0 2024
10 : Manufacture of food products 600 2024
11 : Manufacture of beverages 100 2024
12 : Manufacture of tobacco products 0 2024
13 : Manufacture of textiles 50 2024
14 : Manufacture of wearing apparel 0 2024
15 : Manufacture of leather and related products 0 2024
16 : Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture;manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials 200 2024
17 : Manufacture of paper and paper products 250 2024
18 : Printing and reproduction of recorded media 15 2024
19 : Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products 0 2024
20 : Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products 45 2024
21 : Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations 0 2024
22 : Manufacture of rubber and plastic products 300 2024
23 : Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products 150 2024
24 : Manufacture of basic metals 250 2024
25 : Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment 500 2024
26 : Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products 35 2024
27 : Manufacture of electrical equipment 40 2024
28 : Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. 600 2024
29 : Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers 100 2024
30 : Manufacture of other transport equipment 45 2024
31 : Manufacture of furniture 15 2024
32 : Other manufacturing 20 2024
33 : Repair and installation of machinery and equipment 75 2024
35 : Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 15 2024
36 : Water collection, treatment and supply 0 2024
37 : Sewerage 10 2024
38 : Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery 175 2024
39 : Remediation activities and other waste management services. This division includes the provision of remediation services, i.e. the cleanup of contaminated buildings and sites, soil, surface or ground water. 0 2024
41 : Construction of buildings 800 2024
42 : Civil engineering 175 2024
43 : Specialised construction activities 800 2024
45 : Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 700 2024
46 : Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 700 2024
47 : Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 2,000 2024
49 : Land transport and transport via pipelines 450 2024
50 : Water transport 0 2024
51 : Air transport 0 2024
52 : Warehousing and support activities for transportation 300 2024
53 : Postal and courier activities 150 2024
55 : Accommodation 500 2024
56 : Food and beverage service activities 2,000 2024
58 : Publishing activities 15 2024
59 : Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities 40 2024
60 : Programming and broadcasting activities 0 2024
61 : Telecommunications 150 2024
62 : Computer programming, consultancy and related activities 400 2024
63 : Information service activities 75 2024
64 : Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding 40 2024
65 : Insurance, reinsurance and pension funding, except compulsory social security 0 2024
66 : Activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance activities 250 2024
68 : Real estate activities 600 2024
69 : Legal and accounting activities 350 2024
70 : Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities 600 2024
71 : Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis 300 2024
72 : Scientific research and development 15 2024
73 : Advertising and market research 175 2024
74 : Other professional, scientific and technical activities 100 2024
75 : Veterinary activities 75 2024
77 : Rental and leasing activities 125 2024
78 : Employment activities 400 2024
79 : Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities 10 2024
80 : Security and investigation activities 15 2024
81 : Services to buildings and landscape activities 500 2024
82 : Office administrative, office support and other business support activities 500 2024
84 : Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 450 2024
85 : Education 3,500 2024
86 : Human health activities 1,250 2024
87 : Residential care activities 1,500 2024
88 : Social work activities without accommodation 800 2024
90 : Creative, arts and entertainment activities 20 2024
91 : Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities 75 2024
92 : Gambling and betting activities 20 2024
93 : Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities 400 2024
94 : Activities of membership organisations 125 2024
95 : Repair of computers and personal and household goods 30 2024
96 : Other personal service activities 350 2024
97 : Activities of households as employers of domestic personnel 0 2024
98 : Undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of private households for own use 0 2024
99 : Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies 0 2024
Skills 6
% with NVQ1+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
95.9%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±4.9, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ2+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
81.8%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±9.5, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ3+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
57.5%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±12.1, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ4+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
32.4%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±11.5, basis not documented by the producer

3.0%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022

—

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
Not published: Estimate and confidence interval not available since the group sample size is zero or disclosive (0-2)
1 earlier period withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.