United Kingdom Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
United Kingdom's services employment was 83.23% in 2025, ranked 170th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's services employment stood at 83.23% in 2025, a rise of +0.23% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 83.60% by 2026. United Kingdom ranked 170th globally.
The United Kingdom’s share of employment in services has risen steadily over the 35‑year span recorded by the World Bank, moving from a low of 66.81 in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 83.23 in 2025, placing the country 170th globally. This ascent reflects the deepening structural shift toward a post‑industrial economy, where service‑oriented sectors such as finance, education and health dominate labour markets. The latest figure of 83.23 is marginally below that of French Polynesia (83.75) and Israel (84.09), yet above Barbados (82.58) and the U.S. Virgin Islands (81.86), underscoring the United Kingdom’s position among the higher‑ranking service‑employment economies. The persistent upward trajectory suggests that, barring a major disruption to the service sector, the proportion of jobs in services will likely continue to climb, further entrenching the United Kingdom’s status as a service‑centric economy.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 84.12% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 83.86% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 83.60% | - | - |
| 2025 | 83.23% | +0.23% | #170 |
| 2024 | 83.00% | −0.20% | #170 |
| 2023 | 83.21% | +0.66% | #172 |
| 2022 | 82.55% | +0.36% | #174 |
| 2021 | 82.18% | +0.35% | #175 |
| 2020 | 81.83% | +1.14% | #175 |
| 2019 | 80.69% | −0.16% | #175 |
| 2018 | 80.85% | +0.22% | #174 |
| 2017 | 80.63% | +0.23% | #174 |
| 2016 | 80.40% | +0.19% | #174 |
| 2015 | 80.21% | +0.42% | #174 |
| 2014 | 79.80% | −0.29% | #174 |
| 2013 | 80.09% | +0.31% | #174 |
| 2012 | 79.77% | +0.14% | #175 |
| 2011 | 79.63% | +0.04% | #175 |
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 services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's services employment was 83.23% in 2025. Ranked 170th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
United Kingdom's services employment peaked at 83.23% in 2025.
The lowest services employment in United Kingdom was 66.81% in 1991.
United Kingdom ranks 170th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Kingdom's services employment is projected to reach 83.60% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of United Kingdom in 2025 was 83.23%. This ranks 170th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_services-employment,
title = {United Kingdom Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}