Working Age Population

The size of the working age population, and its share of the total, is an important determinant of economic growth. In general, cities tend to have a larger proportionate working age population due to employment opportunities and further/higher education: 

• 414,700 people in Glasgow (2010) are aged between 16 and 64, or 70.0% of the total population;
• 68.1% is the average for comparable cities (Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds);
• national rates are 65.7% in Scotland and 64.8% in the UK.

In part this reflects higher levels of premature death in Glasgow, as well as the way the city's boundary excludes suburbs, which tend to have a more mature population (Birmingham and Leeds include their suburbs).

But it also shows how Glasgow has retained its working age population after decades of population loss, and in particular the 25-44 age group, comprising

• 32.6% of Glasgow's population;
• 25.4% in the surrounding area;
• 26.5% in Scotland and 27.3% in the UK.

This age group is more likely to be in employment than other age groups and will therefore be an important influence on the future economy of the city.