United Kingdom: Labor force

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 United Kingdom

Labor force, million people

 Latest value 34.67
 Year 2023
 Measure million people
 Data availability 1991 - 2023
 Average 31.53
 Min - Max 28.76 - 34.70
 Source The World Bank
The latest value from 2023 is 34.67 million people, an increase from 34.38 million people in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 20.30 million people, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2023 is 31.53 million people. The minimum value, 28.76 million people, was reached in 1994 while the maximum of 34.7 million people was recorded in 2019. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
United Kingdom - Labor force - Recent values chart

Historical series
United Kingdom - Labor force - historical chart - 1991-2023




Definition: Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. It includes people who are currently employed and people who are unemployed but seeking work as well as first-time job-seekers. Not everyone who works is included, however. Unpaid workers, family workers, and students are often omitted, and some countries do not count members of the armed forces. Labor force size tends to vary during the year as seasonal workers enter and leave.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Labor force 34.67 2023 million people
 Unemployment rate 4.05 2023 percent
 Female unemployment 3.83 2023 percent
 Male unemployment 4.26 2023 percent
 Youth unemployment 12.54 2023 percent
 Labor force participation 62.34 2023 percent
 Labor force: percent female 47.61 2023 percent
 Female labor force participation 58.26 2023 percent
 Male labor force participation 66.58 2023 percent
 Hours worked 1,524.00 2023 hours
 Self-employment 15.67 2022 percent
 Employment 33.23 6/2024 million employed people
 Unemployment rate 4.10 6/2024 percent
 Labor cost 220.60 6/2024 index points
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