00:00The Office for National Statistics has recently released its latest figures on economic inactivity
00:06around the United Kingdom, and has found Wales to have the worst rates of anywhere in the
00:11country.
00:12The statistics show that over 28% of people in Wales are economically inactive, compared
00:17to roughly 23% around the rest of the UK.
00:20But the statistics also go on to show that Wales has one of the lowest joblessness rates
00:24anywhere in the UK, so other reasons are to blame for Wales's economic inactivity.
00:30Economic inactivity can happen for a number of reasons, and include the figures of people
00:33who are retired, studying, are on long-term sick, or are caring for a loved one at home,
00:38so do not show a clear picture of employment.
00:41Wales has traditionally had an older and sicker population than elsewhere in the UK, with
00:45people facing long-term illness from work being the biggest factor in Wales's economic
00:49inactivity.
00:51The number had been falling sharply in Wales for the last decade or so, before rising again
00:55through the pandemic, which also happened elsewhere in the UK.
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