The Datum Report

Parliamentary constituency

West 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
% of economically inactive retired Apr 2025-Mar 2026 22.7% -8.8 in the bottom 4% of 469
% of economically inactive long-term sick Apr 2025-Mar 2026 27.6% -7.5 in the bottom 8% of 577

By subject

Every figure published for West 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
14.6%
11.116.121.22021-09-30: 17.92021-12-31: 19.62022-03-31: 19.42022-06-30: 15.42022-09-30: 17.82022-12-31: 15.12023-03-31: 15.62023-06-30: 16.32023-09-30: 12.12023-12-31: 13.82024-03-31: 14.62024-06-30: 14.12024-09-30: 202024-12-31: 19.22025-03-31: 20.12025-06-30: 20.22025-09-30: 16.92025-12-31: 162026-03-31: 14.6 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 12.1 to 20.2 · axis starts at 11.1

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
±5.4, basis not documented by the producer

Employment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
81.6%
62.574.085.42021-09-30: 74.52021-12-31: 70.62022-03-31: 68.82022-06-30: 64.72022-09-30: 72.62022-12-31: 762023-03-31: 78.92023-06-30: 78.42023-09-30: 80.22023-12-31: 83.22024-03-31: 78.82024-06-30: 78.12024-09-30: 71.32024-12-31: 71.22025-03-31: 71.82025-06-30: 76.62025-09-30: 80.52025-12-31: 82.32026-03-31: 81.6 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 64.7 to 83.2 · axis starts at 62.5

ONS, Annual Population Survey - headline labour market rates, published 21 July 2026
±5.9, basis not documented by the producer

Unemployment rate - aged 16-64
Apr 2025-Mar 2026
2.9%
2.14.87.62021-09-30: 52021-12-31: 5.12022-03-31: 6.22022-06-30: 7.12022-12-31: 32024-09-30: 6.92024-12-31: 6.22025-12-31: 2.62026-03-31: 2.9 2021-09 2026-03
9 monthly readings · 2.6 to 7.1 · axis starts at 2.1

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

16.0%
13.722.932.12021-09-30: 21.62021-12-31: 25.72022-03-31: 26.62022-06-30: 30.32022-09-30: 26.72022-12-31: 21.62023-03-31: 19.52023-06-30: 19.82023-09-30: 18.22023-12-31: 16.82024-03-31: 18.72024-06-30: 19.32024-09-30: 23.42024-12-31: 24.12025-03-31: 26.82025-06-30: 21.72025-09-30: 17.92025-12-31: 15.52026-03-31: 16 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 15.5 to 30.3 · axis starts at 13.7

ONS, Annual Population Survey - variables (percentages), published 21 July 2026
±5.6, basis not documented by the producer

Claimant count
August 2026
1,145
9571,1781,3982021-09-30: 1,3552021-10-31: 1,3152021-11-30: 1,2802021-12-31: 1,2502022-01-31: 1,2552022-02-28: 1,2502022-03-31: 1,1752022-04-30: 1,1102022-05-31: 1,0602022-06-30: 1,0302022-07-31: 1,0002022-08-31: 1,0002022-09-30: 1,0052022-10-31: 1,0352022-11-30: 1,0902022-12-31: 1,1052023-01-31: 1,1152023-02-28: 1,1052023-03-31: 1,1152023-04-30: 1,0852023-05-31: 1,0502023-06-30: 1,0502023-07-31: 1,0252023-08-31: 1,0352023-09-30: 1,0252023-10-31: 1,0352023-11-30: 1,0602023-12-31: 1,1102024-01-31: 1,1152024-02-29: 1,1652024-03-31: 1,1952024-04-30: 1,1352024-05-31: 1,1402024-06-30: 1,1502024-07-31: 1,2152024-08-31: 1,2302024-09-30: 1,2352024-10-31: 1,2402024-11-30: 1,2452024-12-31: 1,2402025-01-31: 1,2752025-02-28: 1,3052025-03-31: 1,3202025-04-30: 1,2752025-05-31: 1,1952025-06-30: 1,1952025-07-31: 1,1502025-08-31: 1,1002025-09-30: 1,1102025-10-31: 1,0952025-11-30: 1,0952025-12-31: 1,1252026-01-31: 1,1302026-02-28: 1,1852026-03-31: 1,2202026-04-30: 1,1852026-05-31: 1,1552026-06-30: 1,1652026-07-31: 1,1302026-08-31: 1,145 2021-09 2026-08
60 monthly readings · 1,000 to 1,355 · axis starts at 957

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

2.3%
1.92.42.82021-09-30: 2.72021-10-31: 2.62021-11-30: 2.52021-12-31: 2.52022-01-31: 2.52022-02-28: 2.52022-03-31: 2.32022-04-30: 2.22022-05-31: 2.12022-06-30: 22022-07-31: 22022-08-31: 22022-09-30: 22022-10-31: 2.12022-11-30: 2.22022-12-31: 2.22023-01-31: 2.22023-02-28: 2.22023-03-31: 2.22023-04-30: 2.22023-05-31: 2.12023-06-30: 2.12023-07-31: 22023-08-31: 2.12023-09-30: 22023-10-31: 2.12023-11-30: 2.12023-12-31: 2.22024-01-31: 2.22024-02-29: 2.32024-03-31: 2.42024-04-30: 2.22024-05-31: 2.22024-06-30: 2.32024-07-31: 2.42024-08-31: 2.42024-09-30: 2.42024-10-31: 2.42024-11-30: 2.52024-12-31: 2.42025-01-31: 2.52025-02-28: 2.62025-03-31: 2.62025-04-30: 2.52025-05-31: 2.42025-06-30: 2.42025-07-31: 2.32025-08-31: 2.22025-09-30: 2.22025-10-31: 2.22025-11-30: 2.22025-12-31: 2.22026-01-31: 2.22026-02-28: 2.32026-03-31: 2.42026-04-30: 2.32026-05-31: 2.32026-06-30: 2.32026-07-31: 2.22026-08-31: 2.3 2021-09 2026-08
60 monthly readings · 2 to 2.7 · axis starts at 1.9

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.

27.6%
3.621.138.52021-12-31: 72022-03-31: 9.72022-06-30: 9.62022-09-30: 8.62022-12-31: 10.42023-03-31: 12.32023-09-30: 17.72023-12-31: 19.52024-03-31: 22.42024-06-30: 342024-09-30: 33.12024-12-31: 31.12025-03-31: 27.82025-06-30: 27.22025-09-30: 28.52025-12-31: 35.12026-03-31: 27.6 2021-12 2026-03
17 monthly readings · 7 to 35.1 · axis starts at 3.6

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

10.6%
8.519.430.22021-09-30: 12.42022-06-30: 20.52022-09-30: 28.12022-12-31: 252023-03-31: 262023-12-31: 17.12024-03-31: 16.42024-06-30: 15.12024-09-30: 192025-06-30: 13.32025-12-31: 11.32026-03-31: 10.6 2021-09 2026-03
12 monthly readings · 10.6 to 28.1 · axis starts at 8.5

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

22.7%
9.329.449.52021-09-30: 32.22021-12-31: 45.62022-03-31: 44.52022-06-30: 33.82022-09-30: 44.42022-12-31: 39.32023-03-31: 36.62023-06-30: 35.32023-09-30: 29.62023-12-31: 23.82024-03-31: 22.22024-06-30: 242024-09-30: 18.82024-12-31: 13.22025-03-31: 23.82025-06-30: 29.72025-09-30: 322025-12-31: 31.52026-03-31: 22.7 2021-09 2026-03
19 monthly readings · 13.2 to 45.6 · axis starts at 9.3

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

25.5%
14.027.340.62021-09-30: 28.62021-12-31: 22.82022-03-31: 24.72022-06-30: 272022-12-31: 16.62023-03-31: 16.62023-06-30: 35.52023-09-30: 37.52023-12-31: 33.12024-03-31: 24.22024-09-30: 19.92024-12-31: 36.42025-03-31: 382025-06-30: 29.82025-09-30: 30.32025-12-31: 18.32026-03-31: 25.5 2021-09 2026-03
17 monthly readings · 16.6 to 38 · axis starts at 14.0

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

Pay 2
9.619.429.110th10th · 2023-04-30: £11.5010th · 2024-04-30: £12.3910th · 2025-04-30: £12.6725th25th · 2023-04-30: £13.5825th · 2024-04-30: £14.0125th · 2025-04-30: £15.25MedianMedian · 2023-04-30: £17.14Median · 2024-04-30: £18.68Median · 2025-04-30: £18.5975th75th · 2023-04-30: £23.3775th · 2024-04-30: £25.4075th · 2025-04-30: £27.21 2023-04 2025-04
3 periods · 10th, 25th, Median, 75th · axis starts at 9.6
10th25thMedian75th90th
£12.67£15.25£18.59£27.21—

ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings - resident analysis, published 3 November 2025
coefficient of variation 2.4%

9.017.225.410th10th · 2023-04-30: £10.6110th · 2024-04-30: £11.9710th · 2025-04-30: £12.6025th25th · 2023-04-30: £11.9725th · 2024-04-30: £13.0125th · 2025-04-30: £13.51MedianMedian · 2023-04-30: £14.96Median · 2024-04-30: £17.81Median · 2025-04-30: £17.3875th75th · 2023-04-30: £21.0075th · 2024-04-30: £23.7875th · 2025-04-30: £22.08 2023-04 2025-04
3 periods · 10th, 25th, Median, 75th · axis starts at 9.0
10th25thMedian75th90th
£12.60£13.51£17.38£22.08—

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

Business 11
Businesses
2025
5,075

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

3,915

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

330

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

5

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

165

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

600

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

40

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

5,860

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 100 2024
02 : Forestry and logging 50 2024
03 : Fishing and aquaculture 15 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 10 2024
09 : Mining support service activities 5 2024
10 : Manufacture of food products 1,000 2024
11 : Manufacture of beverages 225 2024
12 : Manufacture of tobacco products 0 2024
13 : Manufacture of textiles 175 2024
14 : Manufacture of wearing apparel 25 2024
15 : Manufacture of leather and related products 10 2024
16 : Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture;manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials 125 2024
17 : Manufacture of paper and paper products 50 2024
18 : Printing and reproduction of recorded media 100 2024
19 : Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products 0 2024
20 : Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products 20 2024
21 : Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations 40 2024
22 : Manufacture of rubber and plastic products 50 2024
23 : Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products 15 2024
24 : Manufacture of basic metals 150 2024
25 : Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment 300 2024
26 : Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products 175 2024
27 : Manufacture of electrical equipment 5 2024
28 : Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. 75 2024
29 : Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers 20 2024
30 : Manufacture of other transport equipment 50 2024
31 : Manufacture of furniture 250 2024
32 : Other manufacturing 200 2024
33 : Repair and installation of machinery and equipment 40 2024
35 : Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 5 2024
36 : Water collection, treatment and supply 50 2024
37 : Sewerage 10 2024
38 : Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities; materials recovery 150 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 700 2024
42 : Civil engineering 400 2024
43 : Specialised construction activities 1,000 2024
45 : Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles 600 2024
46 : Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 1,000 2024
47 : Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles 4,500 2024
49 : Land transport and transport via pipelines 150 2024
50 : Water transport 0 2024
51 : Air transport 0 2024
52 : Warehousing and support activities for transportation 200 2024
53 : Postal and courier activities 225 2024
55 : Accommodation 1,250 2024
56 : Food and beverage service activities 4,500 2024
58 : Publishing activities 75 2024
59 : Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities 125 2024
60 : Programming and broadcasting activities 0 2024
61 : Telecommunications 50 2024
62 : Computer programming, consultancy and related activities 350 2024
63 : Information service activities 75 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 400 2024
68 : Real estate activities 1,000 2024
69 : Legal and accounting activities 2,500 2024
70 : Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities 600 2024
71 : Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis 800 2024
72 : Scientific research and development 35 2024
73 : Advertising and market research 300 2024
74 : Other professional, scientific and technical activities 150 2024
75 : Veterinary activities 250 2024
77 : Rental and leasing activities 175 2024
78 : Employment activities 250 2024
79 : Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities 75 2024
80 : Security and investigation activities 30 2024
81 : Services to buildings and landscape activities 700 2024
82 : Office administrative, office support and other business support activities 300 2024
84 : Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 4,000 2024
85 : Education 4,500 2024
86 : Human health activities 6,000 2024
87 : Residential care activities 1,500 2024
88 : Social work activities without accommodation 1,000 2024
90 : Creative, arts and entertainment activities 150 2024
91 : Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities 350 2024
92 : Gambling and betting activities 25 2024
93 : Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities 600 2024
94 : Activities of membership organisations 175 2024
95 : Repair of computers and personal and household goods 30 2024
96 : Other personal service activities 600 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
95.5%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±5.6, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ2+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
80.0%

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
62.4%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±13.2, basis not documented by the producer

% with NVQ4+ - aged 16-64
Jan 2021-Dec 2021
40.0%

ONS, Annual Population Survey - qualifications (NVQ levels), published 12 April 2022
±13.3, basis not documented by the producer

3.2%

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.