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Bristol Economy Figures Draw Attention from Officials and Experts
Data on output, jobs and pay offer points for review in local strategy documents.
How we reported this
Bristol's economy generated £15.5 billion in gross value added in 2021, accounting for 11% of the South West's total GVA. This figure appears in official records reviewed by the city council and forms part of ongoing economic assessments.
Employment and Pay Data
The employment rate in Bristol stood at 78.6% as of March 2024. This rate ranks highest among UK core cities yet sits below the regional average, according to local government analysis. Officials and experts examining these numbers note the balance between job availability and broader workforce participation.
The median hourly wage reached £18.05 in 2023. That amount exceeds both the regional figure of £16.87 and the national figure of £17.54. Strategy documents prepared by the council place these wage levels alongside sector performance when discussing resident earnings.
Sector Contributions
Aerospace activity at Filton involves BAE Systems, Airbus and Rolls-Royce. Financial services support 59,000 employees. Digital and tech roles make up 13.4% of all jobs. These details come from labour market visualisations and economic evidence bases used by local authorities.
Bristol records the highest productivity per capita and qualification rates among major UK cities, with 58% of residents holding degree-level or higher qualifications. Productivity per hour has shown no increase since 2004, a point noted in centre for cities analysis referenced in council papers.
Next Steps in Local Review
Documents such as the Bristol Economic Strategy 2025-35 outline continued examination of these indicators. Residents and businesses can access the full evidence base through the city council website to follow updates on how the figures inform future planning.