OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Leicester

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

Leicester supports 171,995 workplace jobs with median earnings 16% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 235th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

388,348

↑ 19.5%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

171,995

Median Annual Earnings

£27,858

333rd of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£232,010

↑ 1.8%333rd of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£59,319

235th 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 388,348. Population has grown by 19.5% over five years, significantly above the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (67.3%) is above the England average.

Population

388,348

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

67.3%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

20.7%

Over 65

12.0%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £27,858 are significantly below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£27,858

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,190

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 21.1% (male median £31,880, female median £25,139). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

21.1%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Electricity, gas & air conditioning (LQ 1.61) and Human health & social work (LQ 1.61). Human health & social work shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Public administration & defence underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Electricity, gas & air conditioning

England: LQ 1.61

Fastest Growing

Human health & social work

Specialised Sectors

4

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £232,010 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

£232,010

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 Leicester to England and Great Britain averages.

Leicester's median earnings of £27,858 are 15% significantly below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 15% significantly below the England median. The claimant rate of 5.5% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£27,858

England: £32,909(15% below)
GB: £32,401(14% below)

Median house price

£232,010

England: £274,076(15% below)
GB: £269,841(14% below)

Claimant rate

5.5%

England: 3.6%(1.9pp higher)
GB: 3.5%(2pp higher)

GVA per job

£59,319

England: £61,178(3% below)
GB: £61,125(3% below)

Working-age population

67.3%

England: 62.1%(5.2pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(5.4pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

19.5%

England: 11.5%(8pp higher)
GB: 10.3%(9.2pp higher)

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