Employment of people living in rural and coastal communities

Employment rates in constituencies which are predominantly rural and inland were highest in October 2022 to September 2023, at 78.2%.

Economic inactivity (people not in work and not looking for work) was highest in rural and coastal constituencies (21.9%) in October 2022 to September 2023. Rural inland constituencies had the lowest economic inactivity rate (19.6%).

The Government’s Levelling Up the United Kingdom white paper states seaside towns are among those areas with the “highest levels of community need and poor opportunities for the people who grow up there”, while rural areas can be low in “connectivity, skills and productive capital”.

In September 2022, the Rural England Prosperity Fund was launched and designed to fund capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure, with the aim of improving productivity and strengthening the rural economy.