OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Isle of Wight

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

Isle of Wight supports 53,880 workplace jobs with median earnings 19% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 345th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

141,660

↑ 2.4%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

53,880

Median Annual Earnings

£26,740

343rd of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£222,699

↑ 1.8%343rd of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£55,520

345th 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 141,660. Population has grown by 2.4% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (55.4%) is below the England average.

Population

141,660

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

55.4%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

14.4%

Over 65

30.2%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £26,740 are significantly below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£26,740

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

N/A

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 25.7% (male median £31,108, female median £23,124). 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 Isle of Wight's economy.

The most specialised sectors are Accommodation & food service (LQ 1.81) and Human health & social work (LQ 1.59). Human health & social work shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Agriculture, forestry & fishing underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Accommodation & food service

England: LQ 1.81

Fastest Growing

Human health & social work

Specialised Sectors

3

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Isle of Wight vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £222,699 is significantly 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

£222,699

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 Isle of Wight to England and Great Britain averages.

Isle of Wight's median earnings of £26,740 are 19% significantly below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 19% significantly below the England median. The claimant rate of 4.3% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£26,740

England: £32,909(19% below)
GB: £32,401(17% below)

Median house price

£222,699

England: £274,076(19% below)
GB: £269,841(17% below)

Claimant rate

4.3%

England: 3.6%(0.7pp higher)
GB: 3.5%(0.8pp higher)

GVA per job

£55,520

England: £61,178(9% below)
GB: £61,125(9% below)

Working-age population

55.4%

England: 62.1%(6.7pp lower)
GB: 61.9%(6.5pp lower)

Population change (5yr)

2.4%

England: 11.5%(9.1pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(7.9pp lower)

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