Trade union density rate in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Trade union density rate was 23.36 in 2019. ▼ Falling
Trade union density rate in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2000–2019
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for trade union density rate in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 23.36, measured in 2019.
That represents a change of up 0.9% on the previous year and down 13.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, trade union density rate in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 29.81 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 23.14, in 2017.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 33rd of 86 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 20 years of available data.
Trade union density rate in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 29.81 | — |
| 2001 | 29.19 | -2.1% |
| 2002 | 28.95 | -0.8% |
| 2003 | 29.16 | +0.7% |
| 2004 | 28.84 | -1.1% |
| 2005 | 28.38 | -1.6% |
| 2006 | 28.05 | -1.1% |
| 2007 | 27.87 | -0.6% |
| 2008 | 27.15 | -2.6% |
| 2009 | 27.04 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 26.39 | -2.4% |
| 2011 | 25.72 | -2.5% |
| 2012 | 25.89 | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 25.51 | -1.4% |
| 2014 | 24.94 | -2.2% |
| 2015 | 24.57 | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 23.33 | -5.1% |
| 2017 | 23.14 | -0.8% |
| 2018 | 23.16 | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 23.36 | +0.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 28.44 | 27.04 | 29.81 | 10 |
| 2010s | 24.6 | 23.14 | 26.39 | 10 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
More work & labour data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is trade union density rate in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Trade union density rate in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 23.36 in 2019, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest trade union density rate recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 29.81 in 2000.
- What is the lowest trade union density rate recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.14 in 2017.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for trade union density rate?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 33rd out of 86 countries with data for 2019.
- Is trade union density rate rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Trade union density rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 20 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
A trade union is defined as a workers' organization constituted for the purpose of furthering and defending the interests of workers. This trade union density rate conveys the number of union members who are employees as a percentage of the total number of employees. For the purpose of this indicator in particular, trade union membership excludes union members who are not in paid employment (self-employed, unemployed, retired, etc.), unless otherwise stated in the notes. The statistics presented in this table result from an ILO data compilation effort (including an annual questionnaire and numerous special enquiries), with contributions from J. Visser. For more information, refer to the Industrial Relations data (IRdata) database description.