Employment – National: Key Economic Indicators

A summary of the latest data on employment in the UK.

32.99 million people were in employment in February-April 2020. Employment was up 6,000 from the previous quarter and up 245,000 from the year before.

The employment rate (the proportion of the population aged 16-64 in work) was 76.4%, up from 76.1% a year previously. It compares to a post-recession low of 70.1% in July-September 2011.

15.74 million women were in work, up 86,000 from the previous quarter and 288,000 more than a year ago. The female employment rate was 72.2%. Increases in the rate over recent years are partly due to changes to the State Pension age for women.

17.25 million men were in work, 80,000 less than the previous quarter and 43,000 less than a year ago. The male employment rate was 80.1%.

The total number of people working full-time in February-April 2020 decreased by 67,000 from the previous quarter but increased by 246,000 from the year before to 24.40 million. Part-time employment increased by 74,000 from the previous quarter and was at a similar level from the year before to 8.60 million.

The number of people in self-employment was down 131,000 from the previous quarter and down by 11,000 from the year before to 4.90 million. 27.93 million people were working as employees, up 168,000 from the last quarter and up 263,000 over the last year.