South East: official statistics
The South East (ONS code E12000008) wraps around London from the Isle of Wight and Hampshire through Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to Surrey, Sussex and Kent. It has 64 local authority districts in the ONS mid-2025 estimates, more than any other region: Kent's 12 districts and Medway, Surrey's 11, Hampshire's 11 with Portsmouth and Southampton, East Sussex's 5 with Brighton and Hove, West Sussex's 7, Oxfordshire's 5, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, the Isle of Wight and Berkshire's six unitary councils.
It is England's most populous region. Unemployment, employment and inactivity on this page update live from the ONS; other figures are the latest published values, read on 13 October 2026.
Figures from the ONS update automatically when a new release comes out; the others show the latest value when we last checked, with its period.
Economy: research, software and property
The South East produced £375.1 billion of gross value added in 2024, the largest regional economy after London. Scientific research and development was 3.0% of it, the highest share of any UK nation or region and two and a half times the UK's 1.2%, in the ONS regional GVA by industry. Computer programming and consultancy was 4.3% (UK 2.9%) and computer, electronic and optical manufacturing 1.3% (UK 0.6%).
Real estate was 17.0% of output (UK 14.5%); in the national accounts this industry includes the imputed rental value of owner-occupied homes. Manufacturing (7.3%) and finance and insurance (4.7%) are below UK shares.
How the South East compares
GDP per head was £43,178 in 2024, second only to London and the only region apart from London above the UK figure of £41,627 (ONS regional GDP). Household disposable income per head was £29,577, 113.9% of the UK average and also second to London. Real growth in 2024 was 1.4%.
Median full-time pay for jobs in the region was £39,983 in April 2025, second highest, but it rose by only 2.4% on the year, the slowest increase of any English region in the provisional ASHE results. The all-employee median was £33,499. Population figures for the devolved nations are in Scotland's population and Northern Ireland's population.
Labour market
The South East had the joint highest employment rate in England in May to July 2026, 78.2% (shared with the South West), and the lowest inactivity rate, 18.2%. Unemployment was 4.2%, up from 3.8% a year earlier but below the UK's 4.9%. The claimant count rate was 3.6% in August 2026.
For district figures, including the coastal towns where rates differ from the regional average, use the Nomis South East profile.
Housing costs
The average house price was £380,878 in July 2026, second only to London and up 0.2% on the year. First-time buyers paid an average of £300,075, and detached homes averaged £687,877. Rents averaged £1,426 a month in August 2026, also second highest, but the 3.0% annual rise was the smallest in England.
The ONS publishes house price to earnings ratios for each council area, which show how far prices differ from local pay.
Population and migration
The mid-2025 estimate was 9,691,844, up 53,199 (0.6%). Deaths slightly exceeded births (by 559). The South East had the largest net gain from moves within the UK of any region, 32,130, and net international migration of 21,688. Kent, with 1,652,769 residents, is the most populous county council area in England. The median age was 42.2.
Devolution in the South East
No part of the South East had an established mayoral or foundation strategic authority in the GOV.UK Mayoral Strategic Authority funding note for 2026 to 2027. Two areas are on the Devolution Priority Programme: Hampshire and the Solent, and Sussex and Brighton. In December 2025 the government said it was considering May 2028 for their first mayoral elections, so that council reorganisation could be finished first. Unlike London, the region has no single regional authority.
Questions about South East
What is the average salary in the South East?
Median full-time gross pay for jobs in the South East was £39,983 a year in April 2025 (£775.80 a week), second highest of the English regions, according to provisional ONS ASHE data.
What is the population of the South East of England?
9,691,844 at mid-2025, the largest of England's nine regions, according to ONS estimates.
What is the average house price in the South East?
£380,878 in July 2026 on the UK House Price Index, 0.2% higher than a year earlier.
What is the unemployment rate in the South East?
4.2% in May to July 2026, below the UK rate of 4.9%. The live figure above updates with each ONS release.
Does the South East have a mayor?
Not as a region. Hampshire and the Solent, and Sussex and Brighton, are due to get mayoral strategic authorities through the Devolution Priority Programme, and the government said in December 2025 it was considering May 2028 for their first elections.
Related questions
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Official sources: ONS labour market in the regions of the UK · Nomis labour market profile: South East · ONS population estimates for England and Wales · ONS regional GVA by industry · GOV.UK: funding for Devolution Priority Programme areas · UK House Price Index for July 2026 (GOV.UK)
Other regions: East Midlands · East of England · London · North East · North West · South West · West Midlands · Yorkshire and the Humber