During 2009, the Observatory's economic inclusion team produced quarterly updates on the impact of the recession on the population of the West Midlands. These updates examined changes in employment and unemployment among key demographic groups and within local areas in the West Midlands:
Following these quarterly reports, we summarised the research in our economic inclusion annual report 2010. The annual report considers how the recession has affected levels of employment, unemployment and inactivity in the West Midlands, as well as which demographic groups have been most affected by the recession.
We continue to monitor monthly changes in key labour market statistics. You can keep track on our latest employment and unemployment page.
Key headlines
While increases in unemployment have been widespread, increases have not been level across all demographic groups. Those with no qualifications, and young people, have seen much higher increases in worklessness than other groups. Both these groups were already subject to high rates of worklessness.
Male employment rates have fallen by more than female, so the gap between the sexes has decreased.
People from non-white ethnic groups and people with disabilities or long-term health problems have, if anything, been slightly less affected by the recession than other groups. However, rates of worklessness in these groups remain significantly above average.