Unemployment Rate in Bristol, City of (April 2026)
Claimant Rate
3.6%
Bristol, City of · April 2026
+0.1pp vs UK average
Bristol, City of Claimant Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Claimant Rate — Bristol, City of | 3.6% |
| Number of Claimants | 12,760 |
| UK Average Claimant Rate | 3.5% |
| Difference vs UK | +0.1 percentage points |
| Data Period | April 2026 |
| Source | ONS Claimant Count (Universal Credit + JSA) |
Understanding the Claimant Rate in Bristol, City of
Bristol, City of's claimant rate of 3.6% is close to the UK national average of 3.5%, indicating employment conditions typical of UK local authorities overall.
The local economy supports a broad range of employment opportunities, and the rate of people claiming out-of-work benefits is consistent with national trends.
What is the Claimant Count?
The claimant count measures the number of people claiming Universal Credit principally for the reason of being unemployed, plus those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). The rate is expressed as a percentage of the estimated population aged 16–64. It is published monthly by the ONS and provides the most up-to-date picture of unemployment at a local level.