Swansea

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

Swansea supports 107,830 workplace jobs with median earnings broadly in line with the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 187th of 391 local authorities.

Population

251,304

5.9%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

107,830

Median Annual Earnings

£32,091

182nd of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£267,263

1.8%182nd of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£60,392

187th 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 251,304. Population has grown by 5.9% over five years, significantly below the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

251,304

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

63.0%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

16.7%

Over 65

20.3%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £32,091 are in line with the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£32,091

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,419

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 23.1% (male median £35,621, female median £27,389). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

23.1%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Public administration & defence (LQ 2.87) and Human health & social work (LQ 1.32). Arts, entertainment & recreation shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Accommodation & food service underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Human health & social work

Most Specialised

Public administration & defence

England: LQ 2.87

Fastest Growing

Arts, entertainment & recreation

Specialised Sectors

3

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £267,263 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

£267,263

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 Swansea to Wales and Great Britain averages.

Swansea's median earnings of £32,091 are in line with the Wales average. The claimant rate of 3.3% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£32,091

Wales: £30,754(4% above)
GB: £32,401

Median house price

£267,263

Wales: £256,129(4% above)
GB: £269,841

Claimant rate

3.3%

Wales: 3.4%
GB: 3.5%

GVA per job

£60,392

Wales: £60,032
GB: £61,125

Working-age population

63.0%

Wales: 60.2%(2.8pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(1.1pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

5.9%

Wales: 3.4%(2.5pp higher)
GB: 10.3%(4.4pp lower)

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