Labour market population estimates

The labour market population figures are sample-based estimates of the population aged 16 and over sourced from the Annual Population Survey (APS). The figures allow for comparisons of the labour markets across different areas and are used in official labour market outputs to calculate rates (such as unemployment rates). Estimates for smaller geographies are highly volatile and uncertain and should be interpreted with caution.

The labour market population estimates are not comparable with the official mid-year population estimates. Although they feed into the production of other official statistics, they are not an official measure of the population themselves. The mid-year estimates are the accredited official estimates of the population.

The latest figures are for the 12-month period ending June 2025.

Key figures

• In Lancashire-12, there were 971,900 people aged 16 and over, of which 727,400 were aged 16 to 64.
• In Lancashire-14, there were 1,201,800 people aged 16 and over, of which 902,000 were aged 16 to 64.
• Compared to the 12-month period ending June 2024, the population aged 16 and over in Lancashire-12 decreased by 0.05. This was lower than Lancashire-14, which saw a 0.44% increase (UK = 0.44% increase).
• Compared to the 12-month period ending June 2024, the population aged 16 to 64 in Lancashire-12 increased by 0.19%. This was lower than the increase seen in Lancashire-14 (0.46%) and the UK (0.44%).

Source: Annual population survey (APS) from the Office for National Statistics, via the National On-line Manpower Information System (Nomisweb).

Things you need to know about the data

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes estimates of the labour market population based on the annual population survey (APS) on a quarterly basis, covering a 12-month period. The population is defined as the usual residents of households and includes aged those 16 and over.

The APS population estimates are used for contextual comparisons of the labour markets for different areas and in official labour market outputs as the denominators for calculating rates in the published APS datasets. They are not comparable with the official mid-year population estimates and so, although they feed into the production of other official statistics, they are not an official measure of the population themselves. The mid-year estimates are the accredited official estimates of the population.

The APS dataset is produced by combining data taken from the labour force survey (LFS) with a sample boost to improve data quality. More details on the APS methodology information can be found on the ONS website.

Limitations

Despite the large sample size of the APS, estimates for smaller geographies, particularly local authority districts, are highly volatile and uncertain. Due to this, local authority level figures are not included here.

The dataset does not include a measure of uncertainty in the population estimate counts but does include a margin of error for the percentage of the population by sex. The size of the margin of error across areas reflects the greater uncertainty for smaller geographies.

Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Components may not sum to totals due to rounding

Page updated 16 October 2025