OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Rhondda Cynon Taff

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

Rhondda Cynon Taff supports 80,345 workplace jobs with median earnings 10% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 260th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

242,844

↑ 3.6%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

80,345

Median Annual Earnings

£29,802

279th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£248,200

↑ 1.8%279th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£58,564

260th 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 242,844. Population has grown by 3.6% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

242,844

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

62.3%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

17.7%

Over 65

20.0%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £29,802 are below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£29,802

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£9,445

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 23.9% (male median £33,685, female median £25,631). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

23.9%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Rhondda Cynon Taff's economy.

The most specialised sectors are Water supply & waste management (LQ 2.58) and Manufacturing (LQ 1.90). Administrative & support services shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Wholesale & retail trade underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Water supply & waste management

England: LQ 2.58

Fastest Growing

Administrative & support services

Specialised Sectors

6

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Rhondda Cynon Taff vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £248,200 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

£248,200

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 Rhondda Cynon Taff to Wales and Great Britain averages.

Rhondda Cynon Taff's median earnings of £29,802 are in line with the Wales average. The claimant rate of 3.2% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£29,802

Wales: £30,754(3% below)
GB: £32,401(8% below)

Median house price

£248,200

Wales: £256,129(3% below)
GB: £269,841(8% below)

Claimant rate

3.2%

Wales: 3.4%
GB: 3.5%

GVA per job

£58,564

Wales: £60,032(2% below)
GB: £61,125(4% below)

Working-age population

62.3%

Wales: 60.2%(2.1pp higher)
GB: 61.9%

Population change (5yr)

3.6%

Wales: 3.4%
GB: 10.3%(6.7pp lower)

Country averages computed from local authority-level data (Wales: 22 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.