Merthyr Tydfil
Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.
Merthyr Tydfil supports 23,180 workplace jobs with median earnings broadly in line with the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 297th 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 58,972. Population has grown by 0.8% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.
Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026
Earnings & Income
Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.
Median annual earnings of £31,504 are in line with the England median of £33,080.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap is 26.2% (male median £37,299, female median £27,524). This is 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 Merthyr Tydfil's economy.
The most specialised sectors are Human health & social work (LQ 1.88) and Manufacturing (LQ 1.73). Wholesale & retail trade shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Human health & social work underperforms its national sectoral trend.
Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026
Housing & Property Market
Estimated house prices for Merthyr Tydfil vs England, 2015-2025.
The median house price of £262,375 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 Merthyr Tydfil to Wales and Great Britain averages.
Merthyr Tydfil's median earnings of £31,504 are in line with the Wales average. The claimant rate is in line with the GB average.
Country averages computed from local authority-level data (Wales: 22 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.