Labor force participation rate in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Labor force participation rate was 61.4% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate in United Kingdom, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 61.4% for labor force participation rate in 2025.
The figure is down 0.3% on the previous year and down 1.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in United Kingdom peaked at 62.6% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 60.6%, in 1995.
United Kingdom ranks 95th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 61.2% | 60.6% | 62.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 61.6% | 61.0% | 62.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 62.2% | 61.8% | 62.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 61.9% | 61.4% | 62.6% | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 92 United States 61.7% compare
- 93 Mexico 61.6% compare
- 96 Philippines 61.4% compare
- 97 Russia 61.1% compare
- 98 Hungary 60.6% compare
More work & labour data for United Kingdom
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 61.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 65.6% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 87.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 57.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 76.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 79.9% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 73.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in United Kingdom?
- Labor force participation rate in United Kingdom was 61.4% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 62.6% in 2019.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 60.6% in 1995.
- How does United Kingdom rank for labor force participation rate?
- United Kingdom ranks 95th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).