economy
productivity
Gross domestic product (GDP) in the Greater West of England
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes annual estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) for national, regional and local geographies. GDP measures the value of goods and services produced within a given area and is allocated to the location where the economic activity takes place.
This data insight presents GDP data for the Greater West of England (GWE), defined here as Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire. It includes total GDP levels, long-term trends, and comparisons to England and the South West (ITL1) region. Where appropriate, figures are presented both at current prices (including the effects of inflation) and using measures that remove the effects of inflation.
For analysis of change over time, ONS produces chained volume measures of GDP, often referred to as real GDP. These remove the effects of price inflation and are particularly useful for comparing growth rates across years, including periods of high or volatile inflation.
Because areas differ in population size, GDP per head is also shown, to provide a population-adjusted measure of economic activity. GDP per head should not be interpreted as a measure of productivity, which instead uses labour inputs such as jobs, hours worked, or workplace-based employment.
In some ONS releases, gross value added (GVA) is used instead of GDP, particularly for industry-level analysis. GDP differs from GVA by the inclusion of taxes on products, such as VAT, and the subtraction of subsidies on products.
£288.6bn
GDP of the Greater West of England in 2023 (current prices)
+0.2%
Real GDP growth in the South West in 2023, inflation effects removed
4.70%
Share of England’s total GDP accounted for by the Greater West of England in 2023
-10.1%
Change in real GDP in the South West in 2020 (COVID year)
Gross domestic product by local authority, Greater West of England, 1998 to 2023 (Current prices, £ millions)
This visualisation shows GDP at current market prices for local authority areas within the Greater West of England between 1998 and 2023.
Across the period, GDP levels increased in all local authority areas between 1998 and 2023. Growth was broadly upward over time, with some periods of slower growth and temporary decreases. Most areas recorded a fall in GDP in 2009, followed by increases in subsequent years. A further reduction was recorded in 2020 across several areas, with GDP levels increasing again from 2021 onwards.
In 2023, Gloucestershire (£24.8 billion), Bristol (£22.8 billion), South Gloucestershire (£18.0 billion) and Wiltshire (£17.3 billion) recorded the highest GDP totals among the upper-tier and unitary authorities shown. Gloucestershire’s total reflects the combined economic activity of its constituent lower-tier districts.
Figures are presented at current prices and therefore include the effects of inflation.
GDP and GDP per head indexed to 1998, Greater West of England, 1998 to 2023 (Current prices, 1998 = 100)
This visualisation shows indexed trends in gross domestic product (GDP) and GDP per head for the Greater West of England between 1998 and 2023, with both series indexed to 1998 = 100 to show relative change over time.
Between 1998 and 2023, GDP in the Greater West of England increased steadily overall, with the index rising from 100 in 1998 to 288.6 in 2023. Periods of slower growth and temporary decreases are visible, including a fall in 2009 and a further decrease in 2020. GDP levels increased again from 2021 onwards.
Over the same period, GDP per head also increased, rising from an index value of 100 in 1998 to 235.3 in 2023. The GDP per head index followed a similar pattern to total GDP, with smaller fluctuations over time and decreases recorded in 2009 and 2020 before increasing in subsequent years.
Figures are presented at current prices and therefore include the effects of inflation. GDP per head is calculated using the resident population and should not be used as a measure of productivity.
Annual GDP growth with inflation effects removed, South West and England, 1999 to 2023 (Chained volume measures ‘real GDP’, percentage)
This visualisation shows annual growth rates in gross domestic product (GDP) with inflation effects removed for the South West and England between 1999 and 2023. Growth rates are measured using chained volume measures (real GDP, removing the effects of inflation) and show year-on-year percentage change.
Over the period shown, GDP growth rates varied year to year for both the South West and England. Both series recorded negative growth in 2009, with GDP decreasing by 4.2% in the South West and 4.8% in England. A further decrease was recorded in 2020, when GDP fell by 10.1% in the South West and 10.3% in England.
Following the decline in 2020, both geographies recorded positive GDP growth in 2021, with growth of 11.7% in the South West and 8.8% in England. Growth rates moderated in subsequent years. In 2023, GDP growth was 0.2% in the South West and 0.5% in England.
Across the period, annual GDP growth in the South West broadly followed the pattern recorded for England, with differences in the magnitude of growth and contraction in some years.
Greater West of England share of England GDP, 1998 to 2023 (Current prices, percentage)
This visualisation shows the share of England’s total GDP accounted for by the Greater West of England between 1998 and 2023. It also shows the additional share represented by the Greater West of England when London is excluded from the England total.
Between 1998 and 2023, the Greater West of England accounted for between 4.46% and 4.71% of England’s total GDP. In 2023, the region accounted for 4.70% of England’s GDP, compared with 4.46% in 1998. The series shows relatively small year-to-year variation over the period.
When London is excluded from the England total, the Greater West of England accounts for a higher share of remaining GDP than when London is included. The share ranged from 1.34% in 1998 to 1.69% in 2023, with higher values recorded in the later years of the series.
Figures are presented at current prices and therefore include the effects of inflation.
