Working-age population (Organisation) in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Working-age population was 56,278 Persons in 2025. ▲ Rising
Working-age population in United Kingdom, 1993–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
The most recent figure for working-age population in United Kingdom is 56,278 Persons, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 33 years on record.
The figure is up 1.1% on the previous year and up 8.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, working-age population in United Kingdom peaked at 56,278 Persons in 2025 and was at its lowest, 45,030 Persons, in 1993.
United Kingdom ranks 6th of 33 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 33 years of available data.
Working-age population in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 45,030 Persons | — |
| 1994 | 45,091 Persons | +0.1% |
| 1995 | 45,225 Persons | +0.3% |
| 1996 | 45,382 Persons | +0.3% |
| 1997 | 45,542 Persons | +0.4% |
| 1998 | 45,720 Persons | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 45,938 Persons | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 46,195 Persons | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 46,504 Persons | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 46,821 Persons | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 47,146 Persons | +0.7% |
| 2004 | 47,521 Persons | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 47,984 Persons | +1.0% |
| 2006 | 48,426 Persons | +0.9% |
| 2007 | 48,902 Persons | +1.0% |
| 2008 | 49,362 Persons | +0.9% |
| 2009 | 49,770 Persons | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 50,212 Persons | +0.9% |
| 2011 | 50,647 Persons | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 50,975 Persons | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 51,304 Persons | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 51,687 Persons | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 52,086 Persons | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 52,466 Persons | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 52,752 Persons | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 53,034 Persons | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 53,398 Persons | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 53,595 Persons | +0.4% |
| 2021 | 53,908 Persons | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 54,407 Persons | +0.9% |
| 2023 | 55,045 Persons | +1.2% |
| 2024 | 55,690 Persons | +1.2% |
| 2025 | 56,278 Persons | +1.1% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 56,278 Persons is above the median for high income countries, which is 8,857 Persons, 6.4× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 56,278 Persons is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 8,651 Persons, 6.5× the median. (21 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 45,418 Persons | 45,030 Persons | 45,938 Persons | 7 |
| 2000s | 47,863 Persons | 46,195 Persons | 49,770 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 51,856 Persons | 50,212 Persons | 53,398 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 54,820 Persons | 53,595 Persons | 56,278 Persons | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 3 Croatia 3,309 Persons compare
- 3 Japan 109,662 Persons compare
- 4 Mexico 102,856 Persons compare
- 4 Türkiye 66,395 Persons compare
- 5 Germany 71,749 Persons compare
- 5 Poland 30,657 Persons compare
- 6 Netherlands 14,996 Persons compare
- 7 France 55,704 Persons compare
- 7 Lithuania 2,490 Persons compare
- 8 Italy 51,483 Persons compare
- 8 Slovenia 1,772 Persons compare
- 9 Latvia 1,551 Persons compare
- 9 Spain 42,668 Persons compare
More population data for United Kingdom
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 71,685 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.0706 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.1389 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.21 million people (2100)
- Population density 307.14 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.169 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is working-age population in United Kingdom?
- Working-age population in United Kingdom was 56,278 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest working-age population recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 56,278 Persons in 2025.
- What is the lowest working-age population recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 45,030 Persons in 1993.
- How does United Kingdom rank for working-age population?
- United Kingdom ranks 6th out of 33 countries with data for 2025.
- Is working-age population rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Working-age population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 33 observations, free to reuse under OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
The infra-annual dataflow on working age population is a subset of the infra-annual labour statistics database, which contains predominantly monthly and quarterly statistics on the working age population by age groups (15+, 15-24, 25-54, 55-64, 15-64 and 15-74 where available) and sex and associated statistical methodological information, for the OECD member countries and selected other economies. The working-age population is commonly defined as persons aged 15 years and older. The infra-annual labour statistics compiled for all OECD member countries, are drawn from Labour Force Surveys based on definition provided by the 19th Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2013. The uniform application of these definitions across all OECD member countries results in estimates that are internationally comparable.