There were around 5.94 million people employed in the public sector in the United Kingdom as of the second quarter of 2024, compared with 6.46 million in late 2009, which was the peak for public sector employment during the provided time period.
Number and percentage of public sector employees in the United Kingdom from 1st quarter 1999 to 2nd quarter 2024
(in 1,000s)
Characteristic
Number of employees in thousands
Q2 2024
5,940
Q1 2024
5,956
Q4 2023
5,928
Q3 2023
5,899
Q2 2023
5,864
Q1 2023
5,827
Q4 2022
5,793
Q3 2022
5,766
Q2 2022
5,748
Q1 2022
5,735
Q4 2021
5,719
Q3 2021
5,699
Q2 2021
5,682
Q1 2021
5,671
Q4 2020
5,591
Q3 2020
5,560
Q2 2020
5,557
Q1 2020
5,462
Q4 2019
5,435
Q3 2019
5,418
Q2 2019
5,395
Q1 2019
5,374
Q4 2018
5,361
Q3 2018
5,345
Q2 2018
5,351
Q1 2018
5,349
Q4 2017
5,344
Q3 2017
5,475
Q2 2017
5,481
Q1 2017
5,476
Q4 2016
5,474
Q3 2016
5,484
Q2 2016
5,486
Q1 2016
5,499
Q4 2015
5,498
Q3 2015
5,487
Q2 2015
5,500
Q1 2015
5,516
Q4 2014
5,540
Q3 2014
5,545
Q2 2014
5,558
Q1 2014
5,568
Q4 2013
5,678
Q3 2013
5,850
Q2 2013
5,841
Q1 2013
5,842
Q4 2012
5,854
Q3 2012
5,865
Q2 2012
5,889
Q1 2012
6,123
Q4 2011
6,164
Q3 2011
6,198
Q2 2011
6,237
Q1 2011
6,316
Q4 2010
6,343
Q3 2010
6,380
Q2 2010
6,434
Q1 2010
6,447
Q4 2009
6,463
Q3 2009
6,461
Q2 2009
6,438
Q1 2009
6,430
Q4 2008
6,434
Q3 2008
6,168
Q2 2008
6,019
Q1 2008
5,999
Q4 2007
6,021
Q3 2007
6,018
Q2 2007
6,029
Q1 2007
6,035
Q4 2006
6,036
Q3 2006
6,045
Q2 2006
6,063
Q1 2006
6,072
Q4 2005
6,087
Q3 2005
6,092
Q2 2005
6,090
Q1 2005
6,058
Q4 2004
6,039
Q3 2004
6,027
Q2 2004
5,995
Q1 2004
5,968
Q4 2003
5,936
Q3 2003
5,897
Q2 2003
5,857
Q1 2003
5,825
Q4 2002
5,776
Q3 2002
5,727
Q2 2002
5,693
Q1 2002
5,668
Q4 2001
5,629
Q3 2001
5,607
Q2 2001
5,580
Q1 2001
5,554
Q4 2000
5,527
Q3 2000
5,515
Q2 2000
5,490
Q1 2000
5,472
Q4 1999
5,460
Q3 1999
5,433
Q2 1999
5,410
Q1 1999
5,399
Zoomable Statistic: Select the range in the chart you want to zoom in on.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Office for National Statistics (UK). (September 10, 2024). Number and percentage of public sector employees in the United Kingdom from 1st quarter 1999 to 2nd quarter 2024 (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/623259/public-sector-workforce-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Number and percentage of public sector employees in the United Kingdom from 1st quarter 1999 to 2nd quarter 2024 (in 1,000s)." Chart. September 10, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/623259/public-sector-workforce-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). (2024). Number and percentage of public sector employees in the United Kingdom from 1st quarter 1999 to 2nd quarter 2024 (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/623259/public-sector-workforce-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Number and Percentage of Public Sector Employees in The United Kingdom from 1st Quarter 1999 to 2nd Quarter 2024 (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 10 Sep 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/623259/public-sector-workforce-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK), Number and percentage of public sector employees in the United Kingdom from 1st quarter 1999 to 2nd quarter 2024 (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/623259/public-sector-workforce-uk/ (last visited November 18, 2024)
Number and percentage of public sector employees in the United Kingdom from 1st quarter 1999 to 2nd quarter 2024 (in 1,000s) [Graph], Office for National Statistics (UK), September 10, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/623259/public-sector-workforce-uk/
