Portsmouth records UK's second-biggest wage fall as hourly pay drops 3.63%

Portsmouth has recorded the second-largest percentage decrease in median hourly wages among 70 UK locations, according to new research.

A ranking by PEO Metrics compared median hourly pay between 2024 and 2025, placing Portsmouth 69th out of 70.

Median hourly wages in Portsmouth fell from £16.53 in 2024 to £15.93 in 2025, representing a decrease of 60p per hour, or 3.63%.

This contrasts sharply with several other locations across southern England.

Southampton recorded a 3.64% increase, with median hourly wages rising from £16.21 to £16.80.

Brighton also experienced growth, although its increase was relatively small at 1.70%, taking hourly earnings from £18.82 to £19.14.

Eastbourne recorded a 3.34% rise, while Hastings saw median hourly wages increase by 3.51%.

Further inland, Reading recorded much stronger growth of 9.80%, while Watford ranked fifth nationally with a 10.75% increase.

Where UK wages are rising and falling

Westminster recorded the largest increase nationally at 13.14%, followed by Norwich at 12.24% and Swansea at 11.56%.

At the opposite end, Southend-on-Sea recorded the largest decrease at 4.10%, followed by Portsmouth at 3.63%.

Ipswich ranked third from bottom with a 2.53% decline, while Bolton and Newcastle upon Tyne also recorded decreases.

Portsmouth's position highlights a sharp contrast with nearby southern locations, where median hourly wages generally increased over the same period.