United Kingdom Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
United Kingdom's labor force participation was 61.37% in 2025, ranked 93rd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's labor force participation stood at 61.37% in 2025, a decline of +0.19pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 61.26% by 2026. United Kingdom ranked 93rd globally.
The United Kingdom’s labor‑force participation rate stood at 61.37 % in 2025, placing it 93rd in the world and just below Luxembourg’s 61.50 % and the Philippines’ 61.35 % among the nearest peers. Over the 36‑year span from 1990, when participation was 62.38 %, the UK has experienced modest fluctuations, reaching an all‑time high of 62.62 % in 2019 before slipping to a trough of 60.63 % in 1995. The post‑1995 recovery was gradual, with the rate hovering near the early‑1990s level for much of the 2000s, then climbing modestly in the late 2010s as demographic shifts and policy incentives encouraged greater engagement among older workers and women. The slight dip from the 2019 peak to 2025 suggests that the pandemic’s labor market disruptions and an ageing population are tempering progress. Continued reforms aimed at extending working lives and improving skill alignment could reverse the recent slowdown and push participation back toward the 2020s peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 60.94% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 61.10% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 61.26% | - | - |
| 2025 | 61.37% | −0.19pp | #93 |
| 2024 | 61.56% | −0.26pp | #94 |
| 2023 | 61.81% | −0.09pp | #91 |
| 2022 | 61.91% | −0.07pp | #88 |
| 2021 | 61.97% | −0.60pp | #83 |
| 2020 | 62.57% | −0.05pp | #72 |
| 2019 | 62.63% | +0.01pp | #83 |
| 2018 | 62.62% | +0.21pp | #79 |
| 2017 | 62.41% | +0.00pp | #81 |
| 2016 | 62.41% | +0.16pp | #82 |
| 2015 | 62.25% | +0.12pp | #85 |
| 2014 | 62.13% | +0.12pp | #85 |
| 2013 | 62.01% | +0.02pp | #83 |
| 2012 | 61.99% | +0.21pp | #84 |
| 2011 | 61.78% | −0.02pp | #87 |
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 labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's labor force participation was 61.37% in 2025. Ranked 93rd globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
United Kingdom's labor force participation peaked at 62.63% in 2019.
The lowest labor force participation in United Kingdom was 60.63% in 1995.
United Kingdom ranks 93rd globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Kingdom's labor force participation is projected to reach 61.26% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of United Kingdom in 2025 was 61.37%. This ranks 93rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_labor-force-participation,
title = {United Kingdom Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}