UK public sector share of employment
UK public sector share of employment stood at 18% 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 Q1 1999 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public sector share of all employment | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18.1 | 18 | 18.1 | 18.1 | 18.1 | 18.1 | 18.3 | |
| Private sector share of all employment | 82 | 82 | 82 | 81.9 | 82 | 81.9 | 81.9 | 81.9 | 81.9 | 81.7 | |
| Output per worker, whole economy (2023=100) | 100.1 | 99.9 | 100 | 99.9 | 100.4 | 100.2 | 100 | 100.7 | 100.5 |
Understanding UK public sector share of employment
This ratio expresses the proportion of total employment in the United Kingdom accounted for by central government, local authorities, public corporations, and state-funded health and education bodies. It is derived by dividing the aggregate count of public sector workers by the total number of workforce jobs across the entire economy. Private businesses, charities, and independent contractors sit outside the numerator of this calculation.
Evaluating this percentage requires recognising that movements can stem from changes in either public sector hiring or private sector contraction, meaning a rising ratio does not automatically signify expanding government payrolls. Analysts should examine the underlying job levels rather than relying solely on the proportion, as economic downturns that hit private commerce hard can push the public share upward mechanically. Seasonal fluctuations are generally muted compared to raw job counts, but revisions to early estimates in either component series can alter the derived ratio.
Frequently asked questions
- Why might this ratio rise during an economic recession?
- If private firms shed jobs while government payrolls remain steady, the public share increases mathematically.
- Are NHS staff included in the numerator?
- Yes, all health service personnel working within publicly funded bodies form part of the public sector count.
- Does this metric adjust for part-time working hours?
- No, it compares headcounts of jobs directly without weighting for full-time or part-time status.