Cardiff
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
Cardiff supports 226,320 workplace jobs with median earnings broadly in line with the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 32nd of 391 local authorities.
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 383,919. Population has grown by 12.5% over five years, above the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (68.0%) is above the England average.
Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026
Earnings & Income
Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.
Median annual earnings of £32,756 are in line with the England median of £33,080. The 90/10 earnings ratio is 5.4x (England: 6.2x), indicating relatively high wage inequality.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 20.2% (male median £35,995, female median £28,736). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.
Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026
Industry Structure
Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Cardiff's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Public administration & defence (LQ 2.54) and Electricity, gas & air conditioning (LQ 2.44). Financial & insurance shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Administrative & support services underperforms its national sectoral trend.
Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026
Housing & Property Market
Estimated house prices for Cardiff vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £272,802 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.
Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026
Benchmark to national figures
Comparing Cardiff to Wales and Great Britain averages.
Cardiff's median earnings of £32,756 are 7% above the Wales average of £30,754. House prices are 7% above the Wales median. The claimant rate of 3.9% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.
Country averages computed from local authority-level data (Wales: 22 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.