The Datum Report

Parliamentary constituency

South Dorset

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
Employment rate - aged 16-64 Apr 2025-Mar 2026 76.1% -5.5 in the bottom 4% of 632
% of economically inactive long-term sick Apr 2025-Mar 2026 25.5% -8.3 in the bottom 7% of 577

By subject

Every figure published for South Dorset. 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
4.4%
2.811.019.32021-09-30: 9.62021-12-31: 9.72022-03-31: 9.62022-06-30: 12.42022-09-30: 10.52022-12-31: 14.32023-03-31: 172023-06-30: 17.12023-09-30: 17.72023-12-31: 16.12024-03-31: 14.32024-06-30: 15.92024-09-30: 16.12024-12-31: 16.32025-03-31: 16.52025-06-30: 11.62025-09-30: 7.72025-12-31: 5.62026-03-31: 4.4 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 4.4 to 17.7 · axis starts at 2.8

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026

Employment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
76.1%
64.774.083.42021-09-30: 77.52021-12-31: 74.52022-03-31: 73.62022-06-30: 73.62022-09-30: 69.32022-12-31: 70.22023-03-31: 68.22023-06-30: 66.52023-09-30: 71.92023-12-31: 73.12024-03-31: 74.32024-06-30: 76.82024-09-30: 74.12024-12-31: 71.62025-03-31: 732025-06-30: 78.82025-09-30: 81.22025-12-31: 81.62026-03-31: 76.1 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 66.5 to 81.6 · axis starts at 64.7

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
±7.7, basis not documented by the producer

Unemployment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
7.8%
1.85.18.42021-09-30: 5.12021-12-31: 6.72022-03-31: 4.32022-06-30: 4.12022-09-30: 6.22023-03-31: 3.62023-06-30: 3.72023-09-30: 2.82023-12-31: 3.12024-09-30: 4.92025-03-31: 5.52025-06-30: 3.72025-09-30: 2.42025-12-31: 4.52026-03-31: 7.8 2021-09 2026-03
15 monthly readings · 2.4 to 7.8 · axis starts at 1.8

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
4 earlier periods withheld by the producer and absent from the chart.

17.4%
12.522.732.92021-09-30: 18.42021-12-31: 20.22022-03-31: 23.12022-06-30: 23.32022-09-30: 262022-12-31: 27.22023-03-31: 29.32023-06-30: 30.92023-09-30: 26.12023-12-31: 24.52024-03-31: 24.32024-06-30: 21.62024-09-30: 22.12024-12-31: 25.52025-03-31: 22.82025-06-30: 18.22025-09-30: 16.82025-12-31: 14.52026-03-31: 17.4 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 14.5 to 30.9 · axis starts at 12.5

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
±6.8, basis not documented by the producer

Claimant count
August 2026
1,560
1,2991,8202,3412021-09-30: 2,2402021-10-31: 2,1852021-11-30: 2,1302021-12-31: 2,1202022-01-31: 2,2102022-02-28: 2,2402022-03-31: 2,1952022-04-30: 2,0002022-05-31: 1,8452022-06-30: 1,7502022-07-31: 1,6652022-08-31: 1,6652022-09-30: 1,6552022-10-31: 1,6352022-11-30: 1,6652022-12-31: 1,7152023-01-31: 1,7702023-02-28: 1,8152023-03-31: 1,8452023-04-30: 1,8502023-05-31: 1,7552023-06-30: 1,7052023-07-31: 1,6452023-08-31: 1,5952023-09-30: 1,5902023-10-31: 1,5802023-11-30: 1,6552023-12-31: 1,6702024-01-31: 1,8152024-02-29: 1,9202024-03-31: 1,8852024-04-30: 1,8352024-05-31: 1,7252024-06-30: 1,7152024-07-31: 1,8502024-08-31: 1,8302024-09-30: 1,7102024-10-31: 1,6702024-11-30: 1,6702024-12-31: 1,6902025-01-31: 1,8102025-02-28: 1,8002025-03-31: 1,7452025-04-30: 1,6602025-05-31: 1,5452025-06-30: 1,5252025-07-31: 1,4352025-08-31: 1,4502025-09-30: 1,4202025-10-31: 1,4002025-11-30: 1,4702025-12-31: 1,4452026-01-31: 1,5752026-02-28: 1,6152026-03-31: 1,6202026-04-30: 1,5552026-05-31: 1,5502026-06-30: 1,5152026-07-31: 1,5202026-08-31: 1,560 2021-09 2026-08
60 monthly readings · 1,400 to 2,240 · axis starts at 1,299

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

2.7%
2.23.24.22021-09-30: 3.92021-10-31: 3.82021-11-30: 3.72021-12-31: 3.72022-01-31: 3.92022-02-28: 42022-03-31: 3.92022-04-30: 3.52022-05-31: 3.32022-06-30: 3.12022-07-31: 32022-08-31: 2.92022-09-30: 2.92022-10-31: 2.92022-11-30: 32022-12-31: 32023-01-31: 3.12023-02-28: 3.22023-03-31: 3.32023-04-30: 3.32023-05-31: 3.12023-06-30: 32023-07-31: 2.92023-08-31: 2.82023-09-30: 2.82023-10-31: 2.82023-11-30: 2.92023-12-31: 32024-01-31: 3.22024-02-29: 3.32024-03-31: 3.32024-04-30: 3.22024-05-31: 32024-06-30: 32024-07-31: 3.22024-08-31: 3.22024-09-30: 32024-10-31: 2.92024-11-30: 2.92024-12-31: 2.92025-01-31: 3.22025-02-28: 3.12025-03-31: 32025-04-30: 2.92025-05-31: 2.72025-06-30: 2.72025-07-31: 2.52025-08-31: 2.52025-09-30: 2.52025-10-31: 2.42025-11-30: 2.62025-12-31: 2.52026-01-31: 2.82026-02-28: 2.82026-03-31: 2.82026-04-30: 2.72026-05-31: 2.72026-06-30: 2.62026-07-31: 2.72026-08-31: 2.7 2021-09 2026-08
60 monthly readings · 2.4 to 4 · axis starts at 2.2

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.

25.5%
12.233.755.22021-09-30: 48.22021-12-31: 46.92022-03-31: 46.72022-06-30: 48.12022-09-30: 512022-12-31: 47.42023-03-31: 33.82023-06-30: 32.22023-09-30: 17.62023-12-31: 18.32024-03-31: 20.22024-06-30: 16.42024-09-30: 20.32024-12-31: 23.42025-03-31: 37.42025-06-30: 462025-09-30: 24.42025-12-31: 33.82026-03-31: 25.5 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 16.4 to 51 · axis starts at 12.2

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026

22.1%
8.215.923.62021-09-30: 18.22021-12-31: 172022-03-31: 20.42022-06-30: 20.42022-09-30: 11.32022-12-31: 9.72024-03-31: 17.62024-06-30: 18.12024-09-30: 20.12024-12-31: 20.12025-03-31: 19.42025-06-30: 19.32026-03-31: 22.1 2021-09 2026-03
13 monthly readings · 9.7 to 22.1 · axis starts at 8.2

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

17.8%
6.526.646.62021-09-30: 14.92021-12-31: 13.42022-03-31: 142022-06-30: 122022-09-30: 18.72022-12-31: 202023-03-31: 18.72023-06-30: 20.92023-09-30: 26.72023-12-31: 30.82024-03-31: 36.72024-06-30: 42.72024-09-30: 342024-12-31: 212025-03-31: 10.42025-12-31: 162026-03-31: 17.8 2021-09 2026-03
17 monthly readings · 10.4 to 42.7 · axis starts at 6.5

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

16.1%
7.615.523.42022-09-30: 9.62022-12-31: 9.42023-03-31: 21.92023-06-30: 16.12023-09-30: 17.42023-12-31: 18.12024-03-31: 9.12024-06-30: 15.12024-09-30: 16.82024-12-31: 162026-03-31: 16.1 2022-09 2026-03
11 monthly readings · 9.1 to 21.9 · axis starts at 7.6

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

Pay 2
9.616.924.310th10th · 2023-04-30: £10.9910th · 2024-04-30: £11.7110th · 2025-04-30: £12.5725th25th · 2023-04-30: £13.2825th · 2024-04-30: £13.1825th · 2025-04-30: £13.73MedianMedian · 2023-04-30: £15.57Median · 2024-04-30: £15.67Median · 2025-04-30: £16.0375th75th · 2023-04-30: £22.8775th · 2024-04-30: £20.3775th · 2025-04-30: £22.13 2023-04 2025-04
3 periods · 10th, 25th, Median, 75th · axis starts at 9.6
10th25thMedian75th90th
£12.57£13.73£16.03£22.13—

ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings - resident analysis, published 3 November 2025
coefficient of variation 1.3%

9.217.425.710th10th · 2023-04-30: £10.8010th · 2024-04-30: £11.5010th · 2025-04-30: £12.5025th25th · 2023-04-30: £12.7525th · 2024-04-30: £13.0325th · 2025-04-30: £13.85MedianMedian · 2023-04-30: £15.40Median · 2024-04-30: £15.72Median · 2025-04-30: £17.8875th75th · 2023-04-30: £20.3075th · 2024-04-30: £21.2975th · 2025-04-30: £24.09 2023-04 2025-04
3 periods · 10th, 25th, Median, 75th · axis starts at 9.2
10th25thMedian75th90th
£12.50£13.85£17.88£24.09—

ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings - workplace analysis, published 3 November 2025
coefficient of variation 1.2%

Business 11
Businesses
2025
3,305

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

2,495

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

215

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

10

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

105

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

5

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

430

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

3,990

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 50 2024
02 : Forestry and logging 5 2024
03 : Fishing and aquaculture 25 2024
05 : Mining of coal and lignite 0 2024
06 : Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas 150 2024
07 : Mining of metal ores 0 2024
08 : Other mining and quarrying 30 2024
09 : Mining support service activities 0 2024
10 : Manufacture of food products 225 2024
11 : Manufacture of beverages 20 2024
12 : Manufacture of tobacco products 0 2024
13 : Manufacture of textiles 5 2024
14 : Manufacture of wearing apparel 10 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 20 2024
17 : Manufacture of paper and paper products 0 2024
18 : Printing and reproduction of recorded media 50 2024
19 : Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products 0 2024
20 : Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products 0 2024
21 : Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations 0 2024
22 : Manufacture of rubber and plastic products 75 2024
23 : Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products 250 2024
24 : Manufacture of basic metals 20 2024
25 : Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment 700 2024
26 : Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products 350 2024
27 : Manufacture of electrical equipment 0 2024
28 : Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. 450 2024
29 : Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers 30 2024
30 : Manufacture of other transport equipment 700 2024
31 : Manufacture of furniture 30 2024
32 : Other manufacturing 30 2024
33 : Repair and installation of machinery and equipment 100 2024
35 : Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 0 2024
36 : Water collection, treatment and supply 0 2024
37 : Sewerage 30 2024
38 : Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery 400 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 600 2024
42 : Civil engineering 175 2024
43 : Specialised construction activities 900 2024
45 : Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 450 2024
46 : Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 700 2024
47 : Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 4,000 2024
49 : Land transport and transport via pipelines 450 2024
50 : Water transport 35 2024
51 : Air transport 0 2024
52 : Warehousing and support activities for transportation 300 2024
53 : Postal and courier activities 175 2024
55 : Accommodation 3,000 2024
56 : Food and beverage service activities 5,000 2024
58 : Publishing activities 40 2024
59 : Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities 75 2024
60 : Programming and broadcasting activities 0 2024
61 : Telecommunications 75 2024
62 : Computer programming, consultancy and related activities 250 2024
63 : Information service activities 25 2024
64 : Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding 75 2024
65 : Insurance, reinsurance and pension funding, except compulsory social security 0 2024
66 : Activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance activities 100 2024
68 : Real estate activities 450 2024
69 : Legal and accounting activities 350 2024
70 : Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities 900 2024
71 : Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis 450 2024
72 : Scientific research and development 800 2024
73 : Advertising and market research 50 2024
74 : Other professional, scientific and technical activities 75 2024
75 : Veterinary activities 100 2024
77 : Rental and leasing activities 100 2024
78 : Employment activities 125 2024
79 : Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities 50 2024
80 : Security and investigation activities 100 2024
81 : Services to buildings and landscape activities 600 2024
82 : Office administrative, office support and other business support activities 225 2024
84 : Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 2,500 2024
85 : Education 3,000 2024
86 : Human health activities 1,250 2024
87 : Residential care activities 1,000 2024
88 : Social work activities without accommodation 800 2024
90 : Creative, arts and entertainment activities 75 2024
91 : Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities 450 2024
92 : Gambling and betting activities 175 2024
93 : Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities 600 2024
94 : Activities of membership organisations 350 2024
95 : Repair of computers and personal and household goods 15 2024
96 : Other personal service activities 300 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
86.4%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±8.4, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ2+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
73.3%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±10.9, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ3+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
58.4%

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
37.6%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±11.9, basis not documented by the producer

8.0%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±6.7, basis not documented by the producer

5.6%

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