United Kingdom Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
United Kingdom's agriculture employment was 0.85% in 2025, ranked 7th globally. This represents a 2.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's agriculture employment stood at 0.85% in 2025, a decline of +0.02% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.86% by 2026. United Kingdom ranked 7th globally.
The United Kingdom’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture has contracted sharply over the 35‑year series, falling from an all‑time peak of 2.42 % in 1991 to a trough of 0.76 % in 2022, before modestly rising to 0.85 % in 2025, which places the country seventh globally. This decline reflects the long‑term structural shift toward services and high‑technology manufacturing, as well as rising farm productivity that reduces labour demand. By contrast, small open economies such as Bahrain (0.83 %) and Malta (0.88 %) record similar low shares, underscoring a common pattern among advanced or service‑oriented nations. The modest uptick to 0.85 % in 2025 suggests a slight reversal, possibly linked to renewed interest in sustainable food systems and diversification of rural economies. Continued policy support for agri‑innovation and climate‑resilient farming could further alter the trajectory, potentially stabilising or even modestly increasing agricultural employment in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 0.86% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 0.86% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.86% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.85% | −0.02% | #7 |
| 2024 | 0.87% | −0.00% | #7 |
| 2023 | 0.88% | +0.12% | #6 |
| 2022 | 0.76% | −0.14% | #4 |
| 2021 | 0.90% | −0.08% | #6 |
| 2020 | 0.98% | −0.10% | #8 |
| 2019 | 1.09% | +0.02% | #10 |
| 2018 | 1.07% | −0.09% | #10 |
| 2017 | 1.16% | +0.02% | #8 |
| 2016 | 1.14% | −0.01% | #6 |
| 2015 | 1.14% | −0.10% | #7 |
| 2014 | 1.24% | +0.18% | #7 |
| 2013 | 1.06% | −0.13% | #4 |
| 2012 | 1.19% | −0.03% | #8 |
| 2011 | 1.22% | +0.00% | #7 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Kingdom matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1985. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's agriculture employment was 0.85% in 2025. Ranked 7th globally. This represents a 2.5% decrease from the previous year.
United Kingdom's agriculture employment peaked at 2.42% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in United Kingdom was 0.76% in 2022.
United Kingdom ranks 7th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Kingdom's agriculture employment is projected to reach 0.86% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of United Kingdom in 2025 was 0.85%. This ranks 7th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_agriculture-employment,
title = {United Kingdom Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}