Self-employed persons by economic activity (NACE Rev. 2) in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Self-employed persons by economic activity (NACE Rev. 2) was 4,881 Thousand persons in 2019. ▲ Rising
Self-employed persons by economic activity (NACE Rev. 2) in United Kingdom, 2008–2019
Source: Eurostat. Measured in Thousand persons.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 4,881 Thousand persons for self-employed persons by economic activity (nace rev. 2) in 2019. That is the highest value across all 12 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.2% on the previous year and up 27.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, self-employed persons by economic activity (nace rev. 2) in United Kingdom peaked at 4,881 Thousand persons in 2019 and was at its lowest, 3,809 Thousand persons, in 2008.
That places United Kingdom 3rd out of 45 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 12 years of available data.
Self-employed persons by economic activity (NACE Rev. 2) in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Thousand persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3,809 Thousand persons | — |
| 2009 | 3,835 Thousand persons | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 3,941 Thousand persons | +2.8% |
| 2011 | 4,000 Thousand persons | +1.5% |
| 2012 | 4,157 Thousand persons | +3.9% |
| 2013 | 4,201 Thousand persons | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 4,487 Thousand persons | +6.8% |
| 2015 | 4,487 Thousand persons | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 4,692 Thousand persons | +4.6% |
| 2017 | 4,723 Thousand persons | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 4,685 Thousand persons | -0.8% |
| 2019 | 4,881 Thousand persons | +4.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3,822 Thousand persons | 3,809 Thousand persons | 3,835 Thousand persons | 2 |
| 2010s | 4,425 Thousand persons | 3,941 Thousand persons | 4,881 Thousand persons | 10 |
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)
- 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)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is self-employed persons by economic activity (nace rev. 2) in United Kingdom?
- Self-employed persons by economic activity (nace rev. 2) in United Kingdom was 4,881 Thousand persons in 2019, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest self-employed persons by economic activity (nace rev. 2) recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 4,881 Thousand persons in 2019.
- What is the lowest self-employed persons by economic activity (nace rev. 2) recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,809 Thousand persons in 2008.
- How does United Kingdom rank for self-employed persons by economic activity (nace rev. 2)?
- United Kingdom ranks 3rd out of 45 countries with data for 2019.
- Is self-employed persons by economic activity (nace rev. 2) rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.3%. 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 Self-employed persons by economic activity (NACE Rev. 2) (2008-2026). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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