UK workforce jobs: real estate activities
UK workforce jobs: real estate activities stood at 728 thousands in Q2 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Jobs by industry and sector table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q2 1978 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Jobs by industry and sector table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workforce jobs by industry | |||||||||||
| L Real estate activities | 728 | 723 | 723 | 717 | 703 | 727 | 719 | 689 | 710 | 698 | |
| A Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 372 | 355 | 338 | 380 | 358 | 348 | 358 | 355 | 350 | 371 |
Understanding UK workforce jobs: real estate activities
Property management, letting agencies, and housing administration across the United Kingdom comprise the scope of this workforce metric. The compilation records roles dedicated to buying, selling, and renting real estate on a fee or contract basis, alongside owner-occupied property management. Both formal employee positions and independent property agents are enumerated.
Analysts must account for cyclical property market activity when evaluating quarterly movements, though administrative employment tends to lag behind transactional volumes. Comparing these figures with construction sector data is a frequent mistake; construction covers the physical creation of buildings, whereas this measure tracks the ongoing stewardship and commercial exchange of existing assets. Annual comparisons help smooth out temporary volatility linked to property tax threshold shifts.
Frequently asked questions
- Are building caretakers included?
- Maintenance staff dedicated to specific residential complexes are counted alongside leasing agents.
- How does this differ from construction employment?
- This series measures property administration and brokerage, excluding physical building work.
- Do property developers appear here?
- Firms engaged in land subdivision and building for sale are captured within these real estate activities.