Merthyr Tydfil

Key figures

12 of 13 measures have a published figure for Merthyr Tydfil · no figure for band d council tax as a share of pay. Each figure is the publisher’s own, for the period named beside it.

Why the population is changing

The ONS breaks the year’s population change into its components (Year to mid-2025). These are its published figures for Merthyr Tydfil, not our estimates.

• 544 births and 722 deaths: natural change reduced the population by 178.
• Moves within the UK (net) reduced the population by 121.
• International migration (net) reduced the population by 72.
• The ONS’s balancing item (“Other”, mainly armed forces and prisoner adjustments) added 11.
• Altogether the population fell by 360 over the year (the sum of the components above — our addition of the ONS’s published figures).

Each component is a series in its own right: births, deaths, moves within the UK and international migration.

Population change, year by year

The same decomposition for every published year in Merthyr Tydfil: births and deaths, net moves within the UK, net international migration, and the ONS’s balancing item.

Years to mid-2024 are the ONS’s rebased back series, made consistent with Census 2021 — its figures deliberately differ from the estimates published at the time. Every cell is a published figure; the total is the sum of net moves, natural change and other, which is our addition. A dash is a year the source does not publish for this area, never a zero.

Rates per 1,000 residents

The same population flows, adjusted for Merthyr Tydfil’s size, so they can be compared with any other area’s: each year’s flow divided by the population that mid-year, times 1,000.

A Civometry calculation, not a published figure: ONS publishes these flows and the population, but not the rates. Net rates are signed — below zero means more left than arrived. Rates are crude, not age-standardised, so areas with very different age structures still differ for reasons size cannot remove. Each link shows the full recipe and every year.

Pay against housing costs

How pay in Merthyr Tydfil moved over its latest published year, beside how the cost of buying and renting moved over theirs. The three series come from different publishers on different timetables, so each row covers its own year, named in the row.

Pay rose faster than both the house price and the rent over these periods.

Levels are the publishers’ own (ONS ASHE median annual pay for full-time employees living in the area; HM Land Registry UK House Price Index; ONS Price Index of Private Rents). The percentage changes are Civometry arithmetic on the two published values in each row. Pay is a survey of employees and says nothing about a particular household; one year is weather, not climate.

Who runs the council

Independent minority administration (2026) — Other and independent 15, Labour 14, Reform UK 1 of 30 seats.

Since 2016: Labour (2016); Other parties or independents (2017–2024); Independent minority administration (2025–2026)

Not an official statistic. Compiled by Open Council Data UK, an independent project, not by any government department: no official body publishes council political control. Councils are matched to GSS codes by name here; county councils and districts abolished before the current boundaries are not included. This is the one dataset on the site that is not read from an official publication, and every page that shows it says so. Source: Open Council Data UK (CC0).

Between the censuses

How Merthyr Tydfil’s religion, ethnic-group and country-of-birth make-up changed between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, category by category. The two censuses compared.

Crime

6,322 recorded offences in the 12 months to June 2026, 108.3 per 1,000 residents. Full crime profile, by category and month.

Published for this area

• Median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence2025 · up 8.4% on a year earlier · ONS, published 23 October 2025£35,152
• Births by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026544people
• Census 2011 country of birthCensus 2011 · ONS, published 30 January 201358,802people
• Census 2021 country of birthCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 November 202258,839people
• Census 2011 ethnic group (detailed)Census 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 202658,802people
• Census 2021 ethnic group (detailed)Census 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 202658,839people
• Census 2011 ethnic group (five broad groups)Census 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 202658,802people
• Census 2021 ethnic group (five broad groups)Census 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 202658,839people
• Census 2021 ethnic group by age bandCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 202658,842people
• Census 2011 usual residentsCensus 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 202658,802people
• Census 2021 usual residentsCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 202658,836people
• Census 2011 religionCensus 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 202658,802people
• Census 2021 religionCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 202658,839people
• People claiming unemployment-related benefitsJuly 2026 · up 7.9% on a year earlier · ONS, published 18 August 20261,235people
• Claimants as a proportion of residents aged 16 to 64July 2026 · up 0.3 points on a year earlier · ONS, published 18 August 20263.4%
• Deaths by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026722people
• Mean domestic electricity consumption per meter2024 · DESNZ, published 18 December 20252,778kWh a year
• Mean domestic gas consumption per meter2024 · DESNZ, published 5 May 202611,801kWh a year
• House price annual changeJune 2026 · down 6.1 points on a year earlier · HM Land Registry, published 20 August 2026-3%
• Average house priceJune 2026 · down 3.0% on a year earlier · HM Land Registry, published 20 August 2026£146,611
• Net internal migration by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026-121people
• International migration into a local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026246people
• Net international migration by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026-72people
• International migration out of a local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026318people
• Births minus deaths by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026-178people
• Other population change by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 202611people
• Population by local authorityMid-2024 · up 0.2% on a year earlier · ONS, published 26 September 202558,972people
• Private rent annual changeJuly 2026 · down 0.5 points on a year earlier · ONS, published 19 August 2026-1.1%
• Average private rent a monthJuly 2026 · down 1.0% on a year earlier · ONS, published 19 August 2026£755
• Median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence2025 · up 8.8% on a year earlier · ONS, published 23 October 2025£685

National figures that apply here

These are not measured for Merthyr Tydfil; they are the figure for the nation or the UK, shown because they apply to everyone in it.

• Average Band D council tax (England average)Year ending March 2027 · up 4.9%£2,392
• Unemployment rate (UK)2026 Q2 · up 0.2 points4.9%
• Universal Credit caseload (Great Britain)Year ending March 2025 · up 16.3%5,473,000households
• Persistent absence (England)2024/25 academic year · down 1.8 points18.1%
• Average annual electricity bill (UK)2025 · down 1.3%£1,069

Then and now

The first and last years published for Merthyr Tydfil, and the difference between the two. Both figures are published for this area; the difference is those two numbers subtracted, which you can check by hand.

• £20,0132008→£35,1522025

  Median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence

  In Merthyr Tydfil, median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £20,013 in 2008 to £35,152 in 2025, a change of £15,139 or 75.6%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  £35,152 in 2025 − £20,013 in 2008 = £15,139, which is 75.6% of the figure for 2008.

  17 published years spanning 17 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence, 2002 to 2023, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure. Cash terms: these are the amounts as published, not adjusted for inflation.

  In Merthyr Tydfil, median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £20,013 in 2008 to £35,152 in 2025, a change of £15,139 or 75.6%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

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• £4232008→£6852025

  Median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence

  In Merthyr Tydfil, median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £423 in 2008 to £685 in 2025, a change of £263 or 62.2%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  £685 in 2025 − £423 in 2008 = £263, which is 62.2% of the figure for 2008.

  The two ends are rounded for display. The published figures are 685.30 and 422.60, and 685.30 − 422.60 = 262.70.

  18 published years spanning 17 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence, 2002 to 2023, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure. Cash terms: these are the amounts as published, not adjusted for inflation.

  In Merthyr Tydfil, median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £423 in 2008 to £685 in 2025, a change of £263 or 62.2%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

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• -187Year to mid-2012→-121Year to mid-2025

  Net internal migration by local authority

  In Merthyr Tydfil, net internal migration by local authority rose from -187 in Year to mid-2012 to -121 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 66 or 35.3% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  -121 in Year to mid-2025 − -187 in Year to mid-2012 = 66, which is 35.3% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Internal migration net by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Merthyr Tydfil, net internal migration by local authority rose from -187 in Year to mid-2012 to -121 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 66 or 35.3% (ONS).

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• 178Year to mid-2012→246Year to mid-2025

  International migration into a local authority

  In Merthyr Tydfil, international migration into a local authority rose from 178 in Year to mid-2012 to 246 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 68 or 38.2% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  246 in Year to mid-2025 − 178 in Year to mid-2012 = 68, which is 38.2% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from International migration in by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Merthyr Tydfil, international migration into a local authority rose from 178 in Year to mid-2012 to 246 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 68 or 38.2% (ONS).

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• 48Year to mid-2012→318Year to mid-2025

  International migration out of a local authority

  In Merthyr Tydfil, international migration out of a local authority rose from 48 in Year to mid-2012 to 318 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 270 or 562.5% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  318 in Year to mid-2025 − 48 in Year to mid-2012 = 270, which is 562.5% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from International migration out by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Merthyr Tydfil, international migration out of a local authority rose from 48 in Year to mid-2012 to 318 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 270 or 562.5% (ONS).

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• 130Year to mid-2012→-72Year to mid-2025

  Net international migration by local authority

  In Merthyr Tydfil, net international migration by local authority fell from 130 in Year to mid-2012 to -72 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 202 or 155.4% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  -72 in Year to mid-2025 − 130 in Year to mid-2012 = −202, which is 155.4% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from International migration net by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Merthyr Tydfil, net international migration by local authority fell from 130 in Year to mid-2012 to -72 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 202 or 155.4% (ONS).

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• 769Year to mid-2012→544Year to mid-2025

  Births by local authority

  In Merthyr Tydfil, births by local authority fell from 769 in Year to mid-2012 to 544 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 225 or 29.3% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  544 in Year to mid-2025 − 769 in Year to mid-2012 = −225, which is 29.3% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Births by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Merthyr Tydfil, births by local authority fell from 769 in Year to mid-2012 to 544 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 225 or 29.3% (ONS).

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• 595Year to mid-2012→722Year to mid-2025

  Deaths by local authority

  In Merthyr Tydfil, deaths by local authority rose from 595 in Year to mid-2012 to 722 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 127 or 21.3% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  722 in Year to mid-2025 − 595 in Year to mid-2012 = 127, which is 21.3% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Deaths by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Merthyr Tydfil, deaths by local authority rose from 595 in Year to mid-2012 to 722 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 127 or 21.3% (ONS).

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• 174Year to mid-2012→-178Year to mid-2025

  Births minus deaths by local authority

  In Merthyr Tydfil, births minus deaths by local authority fell from 174 in Year to mid-2012 to -178 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 352 or 202.3% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  -178 in Year to mid-2025 − 174 in Year to mid-2012 = −352, which is 202.3% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Natural change by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Merthyr Tydfil, births minus deaths by local authority fell from 174 in Year to mid-2012 to -178 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 352 or 202.3% (ONS).

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• -99Year to mid-2012→11Year to mid-2025

  Other population change by local authority

  In Merthyr Tydfil, other population change by local authority rose from -99 in Year to mid-2012 to 11 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 110 or 111.1% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  11 in Year to mid-2025 − -99 in Year to mid-2012 = 110, which is 111.1% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Other population change by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Merthyr Tydfil, other population change by local authority rose from -99 in Year to mid-2012 to 11 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 110 or 111.1% (ONS).

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Compare Merthyr Tydfil with another place

Every figure both areas publish, side by side, from its own publisher with the period named:

• Merthyr Tydfil and Birmingham
• Merthyr Tydfil and Leeds
• Merthyr Tydfil and North Yorkshire
• Merthyr Tydfil and Somerset
• Merthyr Tydfil and Cornwall
• Merthyr Tydfil and Buckinghamshire

Or open any two areas as /compare/places/<area>/<area> — the address carries the whole comparison.

Since you moved here

Pick the year you arrived, and see what every series published for Merthyr Tydfil said then and says now, with the periods named. Merthyr Tydfil since you moved here, or read the whole run year by year.

Where these figures come from

Every figure above is published by the body named here, for the release named here. Figures marked as a Civometry calculation are arithmetic on those published figures and are not official statistics.

Not yet published here

Income, employment, benefits by area, health, education and religion for Merthyr Tydfil are on the way where an open official source exists; where one does not, the data gaps register says why. Local claimant counts are behind a login.