LATEST employment data for December 2025 shows the number of employees on payroll in South West Wales was 148,046, down -0.6% on the same month last year.

There are signs of returning confidence among employers, with organisations reporting an increase of 134 on payroll over the past month.

The figures are based on analysis of the latest Office for National Statistics payroll data by the employment and pay app WageSight.

Paul Hebden, WageSight Director, said: “Although employment in South West Wales remains lower than a year ago, recent month-on-month figures suggest some stabilisation in recent months. Whether this marks a genuine turning point or a temporary pause in job losses will become clearer over the next few months.”