Snapshot
The population of the East Midlands was 4.3 million in 2004. This was over 11 per cent more than in 1981. The largest percentage increase over the same period was in South Northamptonshire with almost 31 per cent.
DEMOGRAPHICS
- The population total (and people of working age) is the second lowest in comparison with other regions. The population was 4.3 million in 2004, an average 11 percent increase from 1981. The largest percentage increase was in South Northamptonshire (31%).
EDUCATION
- At 16%, the Region had the highest proportion of maintained primary school classes with more than 30 pupils in 2004/05. This compares with a GB average of 12%.
- In 2003/04, 77% of 16-year-olds in the Region were in some form of post-compulsory education or government-supported training. This was slightly below the England rate of 79%.
- In spring 2005, the proportion of people of working age qualified to GCE A level/equivalent or higher was around 49%. This is just below the UK average.
EMPLOYMENT
- 11% of young adults (16 to 18 year-olds) in the Region were not in employment, education or training in Spring 2005 (England average 10% cent). Since 1992 the percentage of young adults not in employment, education or training has decreased by 3%.
- In 2004, 63% of full-time first degree graduates studying in the region subsequently gained employment in the UK, compared to the national average of 60%.
- In 2005 the employment rate (for people of working age) was 76%, which was higher than the UK rate of 74%.
- In April 2005, average (median) gross weekly earnings for full-time employees on adult rates were £455 for males and £343 for females. This was 3% and 8% respectively below the UK levels.
ENVIRONMENT
- The Region emitted 11.3 million tonnes carbon equivalent of carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2003, third lowest in comparison with other regions. However, this equated to 2.6 tonnes per resident, just above the average rate for England, and the third highest rate in comparison with other regions.
- Around 41% (England average 45%) of CO2 emissions in the Region were from industry and commerce, compared with approximately 29% (England average 30%) from domestic sources and 26% (England average 25%) from road transport.
- 20 million tonnes of waste were produced in the Region in 2002- 3; 11% of the England total.
- 48% of all the Region’s waste was produced by construction and demolition (48%, England average) and 40% came from industry and commerce (36%, England average), whilst the remaining 12% was municipal waste (16%, England average).
- 47% of waste in the Region was disposed of by landfill (43%, England average) and 43% was recycled (43%, England average).
HEALTH
- Over 14% (England average 15%) of two to ten year-olds in the Region were obese in 2001-2.
- The infant mortality rate in the region was 5.1% in 2004, which was the same as the UK rate.
- 84 per cent of women aged between 25 to 64 years were screened for cervical cancer. This was above the UK level of 81% for the year ending March 2004. Screening for breast cancer was also above the UK average of 74%, with 80% of the target age group of 53 to 64 years screened.
HOUSING
- 538,000 dwellings in the Region failed to meet the 'Decent Homes' standard in 2001. This represented 29% of the Region's stock of dwellings (England average 33%)
- 6% (England average 7%) of households in the Region lived in fuel poverty (based on income and heating costs) in 2003, down from 11% in 2001.
- An estimated 32 people were sleeping rough in the Region in 2004, down from 91 in 1998
INDUSTRY
- Manufacturing accounted for 22% of the Region’s GVA in 2003. This compares with 15% for the UK as a whole. Mining, quarrying, energy, water supply and the manufacturing sectors comprised one tenth of business in the East Midlands, which was slightly higher than the UK average
MOBILITY
- The total distance travelled per person in the Region in 2004 was 6,950 miles, an increase of 81 miles per person since 1992-4.
