Population
The population in Kent is an estimated 1,382,800 compared to 8,237,800 in the South East. At a local level the largest population is in Medway (251,700), whilst Dartford has the smallest population 89,900.


Population of working age
In Kent, 830,700 people are of working age (60.1%), compared to 5,175,600 in the South East.  At a local level, the percentage of the population at working age range from 63.2% of the population in Medway to 56.3% in Thanet.


Employment rates (the percentage of those of working age in employment)
The employment rate in Kent is 75.9% (compared to 78.4% in the South East), whilst at a local level:

• employment rates range between 79.5% in Dartford and 68.7% in Thanet

Male employment rates:

• 80.4% in Kent, compared to 83.5% in the South East
• range between 87.9% in Tunbridge Wells and 72.2% in Dover

Female employment rates:

• 71.2% in Kent, compared to 73.6% in the South East
• range between 77.1% in Sevenoaks and 64.1% in Thanet

Economic activity rate (the percentage of those of working age in employment)
The economic activity rate in Kent is 80.3% (compared to 82% in the South East), whilst at a local level:

• economic activity rates range between 82.8% in Dartford and 77.1% in Dover

Male economic activity rates:

• 85.3% in Kent, compared to 85.3% in the South East

• range between 91.7% in Tunbridge Wells and 79.8% in Dover

Female economic activity rates:

• 75% in Kent and in the South East

• range between 80.4% in Sevenoaks and 70.2% in Thanet

Economic inactivity rate
In Kent, the economic activity rate is 19.7% (as a proportion of the total working age population), compared to 18% in the South East.  At a local level in Kent:

• the highest economic activity rate is in Thanet, 24.3%
• the lowest economic activity rate is in Dartford, 17.2%

Unemployment

• 36,400 in Kent, compared to 197,000 in the South East
• range from 2,000 in Tunbridge Wells and 7,300 in Medway
• 5.4% in Kent (as a proportion of economically active people of working age), compared to 4.6% in the South East
• unemployment rates range between 3.8% in Tunbridge Wells and 6.9% in Thanet

JSA Claimants
In Kent, the JSA claimant rate is 1.6% of residents of working age, compared to 1.3% in the South East.  At a local level in Kent:

• the lowest claimant count is in Tunbridge Wells, 0.9%
• the highest claimant count is in Thanet, 2.9%

Top sectors and percentage of workforce

• Public administration, education and health
• Distribution, hotels and restaurants
• Finance, IT and other business activities

In Thanet, manufacturing is also an important sector employing 10.7% of the workforce

Gross weekly pay
In Kent, gross weekly pay for full-time all workers is £492.90.  By gender gross weekly pay is: £542.10 for men; and £481.60 for women.

• Shepway has the lowest gross weekly pay for all full-time workers £409.50, compared to Tunbridge Wells with the highest weekly pay £568.40
• for male workers the lowest gross weekly pay is for those in Thanet (£432.60) and the highest weekly pay is in Sevenoaks (£647.70)
• for female workers the lowest gross weekly pay is for those in Shepway (£299.70) and the highest weekly pay is in Tunbridge Wells (£485)

Education

• Percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more grades A*-C at GCSE level or equivalent: 61.4% in the South East, 64.2% in Kent and 63% in Medway
• Full-time staying on rates for 16 year olds: 87% in the South East, 78% in Kent and 73% in Medway
• Full-time staying on rates for 17 year olds: 77% in the South East, 64% in Kent and 59% in Medway

Sources: Office for National Statistics and nomis (using the Labour Force Survey, Annual Population Survey, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Claimant Count and Annual Business Inquiry)

To downloaded this information and more LLMI for Kent see:

Local facts on Kent (2006-2007)

Preview Info - Local facts - Kent _2006-2007_.pdf - 39.96 Kb

Population and employment statistics for Kent and local areas

Preview Info - Population and employment statistics for Kent local areas2.pdf - 42.58 Kb

This document contains a table with population and employments statistics for England, the South East, Kent and Local Administrative Units in Kent.

Kent sources of Local LMI

This links through to local sources of labour market information for Kent.