Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 62.84 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labour force participation rate in United Kingdom, 2005–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labour force participation rate in United Kingdom is 62.84, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 0.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour force participation rate in United Kingdom peaked at 62.94 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 61.17, in 2014.
That places United Kingdom 24th out of 57 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 62.13 | — |
| 2006 | 62.55 | +0.7% |
| 2007 | 62.37 | -0.3% |
| 2008 | 62.58 | +0.3% |
| 2009 | 62.37 | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 62.14 | -0.4% |
| 2011 | 62.12 | -0.0% |
| 2012 | 62.3 | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 62.38 | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 61.17 | -1.9% |
| 2015 | 62.57 | +2.3% |
| 2016 | 62.72 | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 62.7 | -0.0% |
| 2018 | 62.89 | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 62.94 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 62.83 | -0.2% |
| 2021 | 62.2 | -1.0% |
| 2022 | 62.22 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 62.23 | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 62.04 | -0.3% |
| 2025 | 62.84 | +1.3% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 62.84 is above the median for high income countries, which is 58.88, 1.1× the median. (35 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 62.84 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 58.08, 1.1× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 62.4 | 62.13 | 62.58 | 5 |
| 2010s | 62.39 | 61.17 | 62.94 | 10 |
| 2020s | 62.39 | 62.04 | 62.84 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More work & labour data for United Kingdom
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 22,956 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 60.91 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 35,770 (2027)
- Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) 4.93 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 1.07 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 111,361 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 100,223 (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 57.91 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) 1.47 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 0.4352 % change on previous year (2027)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labour force participation rate in United Kingdom?
- Labour force participation rate in United Kingdom was 62.84 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest labour force participation rate recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 62.94 in 2019.
- What is the lowest labour force participation rate recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 61.17 in 2014.
- How does United Kingdom rank for labour force participation rate?
- United Kingdom ranks 24th out of 57 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labour force participation rate rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Labour force participation rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The labour force participation rate is the labour force as a percent of the working-age population. The labour force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Disability Labour Market Indicators (DLMI) database description.