Persons employed in circular economy sectors in United Kingdom

United Kingdom: Persons employed in circular economy sectors was 563,692 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
563,692 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
Change on year
up 1.2%
World rank
2nd
of 37 countries
All-time high
581,270 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
in 2016
All-time low
457,921 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
in 2005
Years of data
19
2005–2023

Persons employed in circular economy sectors in United Kingdom, 2005–2023

0200.0k400.0k600.0k2005201420232005: 457.9k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2006: 470.0k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2007: 471.9k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2008: 517.2k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2009: 506.0k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2010: 478.1k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2011: 528.9k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2012: 518.4k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2013: 536.6k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2014: 514.9k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2015: 545.4k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2016: 581.3k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2017: 546.1k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2018: 571.5k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2019: 538.1k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2020: 542.9k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2021: 549.6k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2022: 556.8k Full-time equivalent (FTE)2023: 563.7k Full-time equivalent (FTE)

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Full-time equivalent (FTE).

Analysis

In 2023, persons employed in circular economy sectors in United Kingdom stood at 563,692 Full-time equivalent (FTE).

That represents a change of up 1.2% on the previous year and up 5.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, persons employed in circular economy sectors in United Kingdom peaked at 581,270 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2016 and was at its lowest, 457,921 Full-time equivalent (FTE), in 2005.

That places United Kingdom 2nd out of 37 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 19 years of available data.

Persons employed in circular economy sectors in United Kingdom, year by year

Annual values for Persons employed in circular economy sectors in United Kingdom, 2005 to 2023.
Year Full-time equivalent (FTE) Change
2005 457,921 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
2006 469,973 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +2.6%
2007 471,869 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +0.4%
2008 517,168 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +9.6%
2009 505,960 Full-time equivalent (FTE) -2.2%
2010 478,087 Full-time equivalent (FTE) -5.5%
2011 528,933 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +10.6%
2012 518,353 Full-time equivalent (FTE) -2.0%
2013 536,631 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +3.5%
2014 514,884 Full-time equivalent (FTE) -4.1%
2015 545,361 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +5.9%
2016 581,270 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +6.6%
2017 546,121 Full-time equivalent (FTE) -6.0%
2018 571,526 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +4.7%
2019 538,095 Full-time equivalent (FTE) -5.8%
2020 542,918 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +0.9%
2021 549,618 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +1.2%
2022 556,802 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +1.3%
2023 563,692 Full-time equivalent (FTE) +1.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 484,578 Full-time equivalent (FTE) 457,921 Full-time equivalent (FTE) 517,168 Full-time equivalent (FTE) 5
2010s 535,926 Full-time equivalent (FTE) 478,087 Full-time equivalent (FTE) 581,270 Full-time equivalent (FTE) 10
2020s 553,258 Full-time equivalent (FTE) 542,918 Full-time equivalent (FTE) 563,692 Full-time equivalent (FTE) 4

Countries ranked near United Kingdom

  1. 1 Germany 771,814 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare
  2. 2 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 563,692 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare
  3. 4 France 537,036 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare
  4. 5 Italy 507,749 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare

See the full ranking of 38 places →

More work & labour data for United Kingdom

All data for United Kingdom →

Frequently asked questions

What is persons employed in circular economy sectors in United Kingdom?
Persons employed in circular economy sectors in United Kingdom was 563,692 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2023, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest persons employed in circular economy sectors recorded in United Kingdom?
The highest recorded value was 581,270 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2016.
What is the lowest persons employed in circular economy sectors recorded in United Kingdom?
The lowest recorded value was 457,921 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2005.
How does United Kingdom rank for persons employed in circular economy sectors?
United Kingdom ranks 2nd out of 37 countries with data for 2023.
Is persons employed in circular economy sectors rising or falling in United Kingdom?
Over the last ten years it is up 5.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Persons employed in circular economy sectors. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Persons employed in circular economy sectors in United Kingdom. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/persons-employed-in-circular-economy-sectors/united-kingdom-2/

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About this data

Indicator
Persons employed in circular economy sectors
Unit
Full-time equivalent (FTE)
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
38 places, 722 data points, 2005–2023
Last refreshed