UK male employment: construction
UK male employment: construction stood at 1,761.57 thousands in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILOSTAT). It is one of the indicators in the Labour force, ILO annual table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1969 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Labour force, ILO annual table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment by sector, Men | |||||||||||
| Construction | 1,761.57 | 1,790.36 | 1,814.56 | 1,860.26 | 1,804.77 | 1,921.89 | 1,970 | 2,058.12 | 2,036.89 | 1,982.87 | |
| Mining, utilities and energy | 449.46 | 439.09 | 401.15 | 415.88 | 448.77 | 431.05 | 413.59 | 472.69 | 428.84 | 415.41 |
Understanding UK male employment: construction
Male workers engaged in building, civil engineering, and specialist trades across the United Kingdom are captured by this series, reflecting the heavy male concentration traditionally found in construction. The count includes male labourers, carpenters, electricians, and site managers, distinguishing them from men employed in manufacturing plants or property letting agencies. Excluded are female construction personnel and amateur DIY builders renovating private homes.
Interpreting these figures requires accounting for the high prevalence of self-employment and subcontracting among male tradespeople, which can lead to volatility during credit crunches or housing market corrections. Weather disruptions in winter months impart predictable seasonality that requires careful handling when assessing underlying momentum. Comparisons with other male-dominated sectors should recognise that construction responds rapidly to interest rate changes and planning policy shifts.
Frequently asked questions
- Are male apprentices in the building trades included?
- Registered apprentices undertaking formal training while attached to construction firms are counted.
- Does this cover men working on civil infrastructure like motorways?
- Civil engineering projects are fully included alongside residential and commercial building construction.
- Why is the gender imbalance so pronounced in this sector?
- Historical occupational segregation in manual trades has maintained a predominantly male workforce across construction.