Employment in Somerset remains higher than the UK average but has weakened slightly in recent years, falling from around 81 per cent in Apr 2023 – Mar 2024 to 78 per cent in Apr 2025 – Mar 2026. Unemployment has also increased over the same period, although Somerset continues to perform better than the UK overall.
Labour market conditions have become less favourable nationally. UK vacancy levels have fallen substantially since their post-pandemic peak and are now below pre-pandemic levels, while economic inactivity remains elevated, driven in part by increases in long-term sickness.
Somerset’s inactivity rate remains below the national average but has risen compared with pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, there has been a sharp increase in the proportion of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), particularly among 16 to 17 year olds.
Employers continue to report recruitment challenges linked to skills shortages and changing workforce requirements. Longer-term trends, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, the transition to a greener economy and rising levels of long-term sickness, are reshaping labour demand and the skills needed in the local economy.
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Source: ONS, Nomis. Annual Population Statistics, latest update July 2026.