Nomis (ONS Statistics)

Nomis — ONS Labour Market Statistics

Official ONS statistical data service providing access to UK labour market, population, and economic datasets.

Data Model

• Dataset — A named statistical table (e.g. NM_17_1 = Annual Population Survey). Each has dimensions (geography, time, variable, measures).
• Geography — Numeric codes: 2092957699=England, 2013265925=Great Britain, 2092957697=United Kingdom. Local authorities, regions, and wards also have codes.
• Variable — What is being measured (e.g. 45=Employment rate aged 16-64, 18=All people).
• Measures — Aggregation type: 20100=Value, 20599=Variable (percentage), 20701=Confidence interval.
• Time — latest for most recent, or specific periods like 2024-01, 2023.

Common Datasets

• NM_17_5 — Annual Population Survey (variables/percentages) — employment, unemployment, economic activity rates
• NM_1_1 — Jobseekers Allowance claimants
• NM_2010_1 — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings
• NM_30_1 — Jobseekers Allowance by age and duration
• NM_142_1 — Population estimates

Gotchas

• Dataset IDs: Always prefixed with NM_ followed by numbers and analysis code (e.g. NM_17_5).
• Geography codes: Large integers (e.g. 2092957699). Use search to find codes for specific areas.
• Definitions vs observations: Dataset metadata lookups differ from pulling numeric observations—use the tool suited to each step.
• Heavy pulls: Wide geography × time grids may time out; narrow dimensions before expanding.