One in five workers in Cornwall earn below the Real Living Wage

For many people in Cornwall, having a job doesn’t necessarily mean having enough to make ends meet.

Research from our Vital Signs 2025 report tell us that 1 in 5 employees in Cornwall (20.1%) earn below the Real Living Wage of £12.60 an hour. That compares with 15.7% across the UK.

Behind this figure are people working hard to support themselves and their families while facing rising household costs, high housing costs and the everyday expense of living in Cornwall.

The picture is particularly challenging for people working part-time. More than a third (34.5%) of part-time jobs in Cornwall pay below the Real Living Wage, compared with 12.8% of full-time jobs. Part-time work also accounts for more than 37% of jobs across the county.

And wages in Cornwall remain lower than the national average. In 2024, the average wage in Cornwall was £37,542, compared with £45,836 across the UK.

These figures help explain why financial insecurity can affect people even when they are in work. Low pay can make it harder to afford housing, heating, food, transport and other essentials – and can leave households with little financial resilience when an unexpected cost comes along.

But there is also positive progress.

In February 2025, Cornwall became the first UK county or Duchy to be recognised as a Living Wage Place, following campaigning by the Cornwall Poverty Forum and Truro Foodbank. More than 15,000 workers are now guaranteed the Real Living Wage through accredited employers.

For Cornwall Community Foundation, understanding these challenges is vital to supporting the grassroots organisationsGroups of people coming together on a local level to address an issue. working alongside people experiencing financial hardship. Community groups are often there when people need practical support, connection, advice and somewhere to turn.

Read our Vital Signs 2025 report to learn more about the challenges facing communities across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and the opportunities for positive change.