Employment and income
Income is often linked to life expectancy and good or poor health outcomes, and more recently COVID-19 has presented a significant risk to the economy.
- 80% of Staffordshire residents stating this as their top concern, and more younger people are reportedly concerned about their employment and financial situation. (Staffordshire COVID-19 Resident Survey).
- In Staffordshire, there is higher than average employment (77%) and despite COVID-19 the unemployment rate (3.6%) as at September 2021 remains well below national and regional levels.
- Whilst average annual earnings are lower than national, they has been some improvement, increasing by 2% since last year. However, there are still more Staffordshire residents in lower paid, manual & routine jobs compared to national. Lowest income levels are in East Staffordshire and Tamworth; some of the areas that also experience health issues such as lower life expectancy and higher rates of mental health emergency admissions.
- In Staffordshire the number eligible for Free School Meals is rising, suggesting more children are living in poorer households - 16% or 19,150 pupils for the 2020/21 year, compared with 12.7% in January 2020.
Average Annual Gross Median Income 2015 - 2021
Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, NOMIS