UK employment: people aged 16+
UK employment: people aged 16+ stood at 34,478 thousands in Jun 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Labour market table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Feb 1971 to Jun 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Labour market table
| Indicator | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | 09-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment and unemployment | |||||||||||
| People in employment (16+) | 34,478 | 34,469 | 34,475 | 34,411 | 34,386 | 34,328 | 34,312 | 34,253 | 34,312 | 34,222 | |
| Men in employment (16+) | 17,745 | 17,726 | 17,752 | 17,735 | 17,662 | 17,601 | 17,579 | 17,546 | 17,562 | 17,539 |
Understanding UK employment: people aged 16+
Counting the total number of individuals aged 16 and over across the United Kingdom who performed any paid work, or who had a job from which they were temporarily absent, this volume metric captures the aggregate level of employment. Unlike percentage rates, this series provides a direct head count of working people, encompassing both employees and self-employed individuals. Excluded from this tally are unpaid volunteers, individuals on government training schemes without a formal employment contract, and those who are entirely without work.
Interpreting this head count requires factoring in population growth and seasonal employment surges in retail, hospitality, and agriculture. Early survey estimates are subject to periodic revisions when reweighted against updated census population projections. Analysts must distinguish between headcount growth and total hours worked, as an increase in employment numbers can coincide with a reduction in average working hours per person. Comparing this series with claimant counts can also reveal discrepancies, as employment includes self-employed workers who may not qualify for unemployment-related benefits.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this series include self-employed individuals?
- Yes, anyone doing paid work on their own account, alongside traditional employees, is included in this head count.
- Are people away from work due to annual leave or sickness counted?
- Yes, individuals with a job who are temporarily absent due to holiday, maternity leave, or illness remain classified as employed.
- How does this head count differ from the total hours worked series?
- This series counts the number of individual workers, whereas hours worked measures the total volume of time those workers actually spent on the job.