The proportion of residents actively participating in Devon economy is above the national average at 80.8% compared to 78% nationally. Despite a sharp fall of 3% in the second half of 2016 economic activity has been increasing steadily across Devon since mid-2011 and the total labour force has increased in size.
This increase is above the growth in working age population suggesting those who were previously economically inactive have now joined the workforce. Correspondingly the employment rate has followed an upward trend over this period with 78.3% of the working age population in either full or part time work, above the national average of 74.4%. Self-employment rates in Devon are 4.5% above the national average following a traditional theme of self-employment in Devon, especially in the more peripheral districts such as Torridge and North Devon where there may be fewer job opportunities.
Last Updated: August 2018