OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Portsmouth

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

Portsmouth supports 105,270 workplace jobs with median earnings 6% below the England average.

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Population

214,321

↑ 5.7%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

105,270

Median Annual Earnings

£30,962

223rd of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£257,861

↑ 1.8%223rd of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£62,727

101st 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 214,321. Population has grown by 5.7% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (67.2%) is above the England average.

Population

214,321

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

67.2%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

17.9%

Over 65

14.9%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £30,962 are below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£30,962

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,309

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 32.2% (male median £37,356, female median £25,310). This is above the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

32.2%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Electricity, gas & air conditioning (LQ 2.36) and Public administration & defence (LQ 1.68). 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 2.36

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 Portsmouth vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £257,861 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

£257,861

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 Portsmouth to England and Great Britain averages.

Portsmouth's median earnings of £30,962 are 6% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 6% below the England median. The claimant rate of 4.6% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£30,962

England: £32,909(6% below)
GB: £32,401(4% below)

Median house price

£257,861

England: £274,076(6% below)
GB: £269,841(4% below)

Claimant rate

4.6%

England: 3.6%(1pp higher)
GB: 3.5%(1.1pp higher)

GVA per job

£62,727

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

Working-age population

67.2%

England: 62.1%(5.1pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(5.3pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

5.7%

England: 11.5%(5.8pp lower)
GB: 10.3%(4.6pp lower)

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