South West regional profile
The South West of England extends over 350 km from the south-western tip of Cornwall to the northern border of Gloucestershire and the eastern borders of Dorset and Wiltshire. It has the highest percentage of land classified as rural in England.
Over 80 per cent of the land area is agricultural. This is mainly dairy farming but includes some arable, horticultural, beef and sheep. Just under 10 per cent is urban or suburban. The largest urban centres are Bristol, Bournemouth and Poole, Plymouth, Swindon, Gloucester, Torbay, Cheltenham and Exeter. Together, these areas account for around a third of the total population.
The transport infrastructure includes two major motorways. The M4 (running east/west) and M5 (running north/south). There are airports at Bristol, Exeter, Bournemouth, Plymouth and Newquay. Bristol, Plymouth, Poole and Falmouth all have major ports. Environmentally, the South West has many assets. It has over 60 per cent of England's heritage cost. It also has many designated areas, ancient monuments and listed buildings. It has four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many of its beaches and bathing waters, rivers and canals are of a high standard.
Population
| Region | Population |
| Bath and North East Somerset | 180,300 |
| Bristol | 421,300 |
| North Somerset | 206,800 |
| South Gloucestershire | 257,700 |
| West of England | 1,066,100 |
| South West | 5,209,200 (This is expected to rise to 6.1 million by 2026.) |
The South West has an ageing population. In 2008, 19 per cent of the population was aged over 65 (England 16 per cent). By 2021 this is predicted to rise to 26 per cent (Eng. 22).
17.7 per cent of the region's population is aged 15 and under.
West of England economy
The economy of the West of England provides the largest concentration of business activity in the South West region. It employs over 500 thousand people. Employment in and around Bristol accounts for about two-thirds of this total.
Significant employment sectors include:
The West of England economy includes many of the 'knowledge-based' industries. For example, those concerned with research, development, technology and business expertise. To develop and grow these will demand higher level skills and qualifications from the future workforce.
Employment
Employment levels in the West of England have grown in the last ten years. Much of this extra employment has been accounted for by part-time working in retailing, education, financial and business services, and public administration. The northern edge of Bristol and Bristol city centre have benefitted from most of the recent growth. New industrial jobs have been concentrated in Avonmouth, Severnside and Royal Portbury Dock.
Skills and qualifications
The growth of technical and skilled employment in the West of England is leading to a need for a more educated and qualified workforce.
Adults in the South West are quite highly skilled. Qualifications held by those in work:
In 2009, 51.1 per cent of pupils in the South West achieved five or more grade A* to C. The national figure was 49.7 per cent.
The South West was the best performing English region on A-level results in the academic year 2008/09.
Bath and Bristol universities are highly rated as excellent centres for research.
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