OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Birmingham

Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.

Birmingham supports 563,255 workplace jobs with median earnings 9% below the England average.

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Population

1,183,618

↑ 11.5%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

563,255

Median Annual Earnings

£30,180

258th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£251,348

↑ 1.8%258th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£60,916

167th of 391

England: £63,763

Source: ONS, Nomis, HM Land Registry, 2024-2025·Last updated March 2026

Demographics & Population

Mid-year population estimates (2024) and Census 2021 age profile.

Mid-year population estimate of 1,183,618. Population has grown by 11.5% over five years.

Population

1,183,618

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

65.1%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

21.9%

Over 65

13.0%

Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £30,180 are below the England median of £33,080. The 90/10 earnings ratio is 5.8x (England: 6.2x), indicating relatively high wage inequality.

Median Annual

£30,180

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,364

90th Percentile

£60,307

90/10 Ratio

5.8x

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 25.7% (male median £34,979, female median £25,976). This is below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

25.7%

England: 28.2%

Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026

Industry Structure

Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Birmingham's economy.

The most specialised sectors are Public administration & defence (LQ 1.41) and Financial & insurance (LQ 1.25). Professional, scientific & technical shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Other service activities underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Public administration & defence

England: LQ 1.41

Fastest Growing

Professional, scientific & technical

Specialised Sectors

3

England: LQ > 1.25

Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Birmingham vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £251,348 is below the England median of £290,000. The price-to-earnings ratio is 8.3x. Prices have risen 1.8% over the past year.

Median Price

£251,348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

12-Month Change

1.8%

Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026

Benchmark to national figures

Comparing Birmingham to England and Great Britain averages.

Birmingham's median earnings of £30,180 are 8% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 8% below the England median. The claimant rate of 10.0% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£30,180

England: £32,909(8% below)
GB: £32,401(7% below)

Median house price

£251,348

England: £274,076(8% below)
GB: £269,841(7% below)

Claimant rate

10.0%

England: 3.6%(6.4pp higher)
GB: 3.5%(6.5pp higher)

GVA per job

£60,916

England: £61,178
GB: £61,125

Working-age population

65.1%

England: 62.1%(3pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(3.2pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

11.5%

England: 11.5%
GB: 10.3%(1.2pp higher)

Country averages computed from local authority-level data (England: 294 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.