Size of Labour Force
3.4.1 The population of South West England is 5.2 million - around 8% of the UK total. Out of this, 3.3 million are of ‘working age’ which is now defined as those between the ages of 16 and 64 for both men and women. The economically active workforce includes those who are employed, self-employed or registered as unemployed in accordance with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition. There are 2.6 million economically active people of working age in the South West, 78% of the total working age population.
3.4.2 Under this definition, the working age population excludes those aged 65 or above who continue to work. There are 91,200 people who fall into this category in the South West and this number has been growing since 2005. As the population has aged, the number of older workers has also risen.
