Work & Employment
30 countersThe UK has approximately 32.9 million people in employment, with an unemployment rate of 4.4% and a further 9.2 million economically inactive. UK workers take approximately 185 million sick days per year at a cost of £28 billion to the economy. The gender pay gap stands at 13% and FTSE 100 CEOs earn on average 118 times the salary of the average UK worker. Employment statistics are sourced from the ONS Labour Force Survey, HSE, CIPD and the High Pay Centre.
People Employed in UK Right Now
People Unemployed Right Now
Unemployment Rate
People Economically Inactive Right Now
Economic Inactivity Rate
Zero-Hours Contract Workers
Sick Days Taken by UK Workforce This Year
Cost of Sick Days to Economy This Year
Sick Days Taken Today
National Living Wage (2024)
Real Living Wage (London)
Gender Pay Gap (median, full-time)
Average UK Salary (2024)
Average UK Salary (2014)
Working Days Lost to Strikes This Year
Redundancies This Year
Job Vacancies Right Now
People Working From Home (hybrid/full)
Self-Employed People in UK
Gig Economy Workers in UK
Trade Union Members in UK
Workplace Injuries Reported This Year
Workplace Deaths This Year
Cost of Workplace Injuries to Economy This Year
People In Work But Still in Poverty
UK Productivity Gap vs G7 Average
Average Hours Worked per Week (UK)
Average Hours Worked per Week (EU avg)
FTSE 100 CEO Pay vs Average Worker
Average FTSE 100 CEO Total Remuneration
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on official UK government data
How many sick days are taken in the UK each year?
UK workers take approximately 185 million sick days per year, according to ONS labour market statistics. This costs the UK economy an estimated £28 billion annually in lost productivity. The average UK worker takes 5.7 sick days per year, with mental health conditions now the leading cause of long-term absence.
How many workplace deaths occur in the UK each year?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) records approximately 138 workplace fatalities per year in Great Britain. A further 135,000 workers suffer non-fatal injuries serious enough to report under RIDDOR. Workplace injuries and ill health cost the UK economy approximately £18 billion per year.
How many days are lost to strikes in the UK each year?
Approximately 1.6 million working days are lost to industrial action each year in the UK, according to ONS labour dispute statistics. Strike activity increased significantly in 2022 and 2023 across public sector workers including NHS staff, teachers and rail workers amid disputes over pay and conditions.
Deep Dive Statistics
Explore detailed statistics for specific topics within this section.