Economic inactivity
The economic inactivity figures provide an estimate of the number of people who are not involved in the labour market. This can be due to long-term illness, retirement, studying, or looking after family or the home. The figures include the number of people aged 16 and over who are unemployed and are not actively looking for work or available to start work.
These figures are sample-based estimates and there is higher uncertainty at smaller geographies. Please see the limitations section below for further information.
The latest figures are for the 12-month period ending June 2025.
Key figures
There were 370,200 (38.1%) economically inactive people aged 16 and over in Lancashire-12. In Lancashire-14, 474,300 people (39.5%) aged 16 and over were estimated to be economically inactive. The percentage in Lancashire-12 was similar to the North West (38.3%) and the UK (36.6%). The Lancashire-14 percentage was higher than the figure in the UK.
At the national level, there are significantly more females (40.6%) aged 16 and over who are economically inactive in the UK compared to males (32.4%). This pattern is repeated in Lancashire-12, with a higher percentage of economically inactive females (40.1%) compared to males (36.0%), and in Lancashire-14 (females = 42.2% and males = 36.6%).
Compared to the 12-month period ending June 2024, the number of economically inactive people aged 16 and over decreased by 2.7% (10,200) in Lancashire-12. In Lancashire-14, there was a smaller decrease of 1.1% (5,300). These figures follow the national trend, with a 0.9% (174,200) decrease in the number of economically inactive people in the UK compared to the previous year.
Recent trends suggest that, locally and nationally, the number of people who are economically inactive has reduced following the peaks in the years following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Economic inactivity reasons and interest in work
The majority of those aged 16 to 64 who were economically inactive in Lancashire-12 were classed as long-term sick (40.5%). This was significantly higher than the second most frequent reason for economic activity, which was being a student (17.6%). This was pattern was repeated at regionally and nationally, with significantly more economically inactive people classed as long term sick, followed by students.
In Lancashire-12, 19.3% of economically inactive people aged 16-64 were interested in work but were not actively seeking employment. This was similar in Lancashire-14 (19.4%), regionally (North West = 18.5%) and nationally (UK = 19.6%).
Source: Annual population survey (APS) from the Office for National Statistics, via the National On-line Manpower Information System (Nomisweb).
Things you need to know about the data
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes sample-based estimates of economic inactivity in the population based on the annual population survey (APS) on a quarterly basis, covering a 12-month period. The APS dataset is produced by combining data taken from the labour force survey (LFS) with a sample boost to improve data quality. More details on the APS methodology information can be found on the ONS website.
The figures include estimates of economic inactivity in the population aged 16 and over and aged 16 to 64. The 16 and over age group is becoming more relevant as a greater number of people continue to work after the age of 65 and as the population aged 65 and over increases. Figures for the 16 to 64 age range are included as these are often used to refer to the working age population, despite a greater number of people continuing to work after the age of 65.
Percentages of economic activity by reason and interest in work (but not actively looking for work) are only published for the 16 to 64 age group.
Definition of economic inactivity
People who are categorised as being economically inactive in the UK are those aged 16 and over without a job and have not sought work in the last four weeks and/or are not available to start work in the next two weeks.
Economic inactivity should not be confused with unemployment. People who are classified as being unemployed are involved in the labour market and are actively seeking employment and are deemed to be economically active. The economically active population is comprised of those persons aged 16+ who are employed, plus those people who are unemployed aged 16+ and are actively seeking work.
Limitations
Despite the large sample size of the APS, estimates for smaller geographies, particularly local authority districts, are highly volatile and uncertain. Due to this, local authority level figures are not included here. Figures for Lancashire-12 and Lancashire-14 still have higher levels of uncertainty than higher geographies and should be interpreted with caution.
Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Components may not sum to totals due to rounding
Page updated 27 October 2025