UK workforce jobs: human health and social work
UK workforce jobs: human health and social work stood at 5,028 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 | |||||||||||
| Q Human health and social work | 5,028 | 5,095 | 5,029 | 5,018 | 5,048 | 5,066 | 5,001 | 4,987 | 5,002 | 4,939 | |
| G Wholesale and retail trade | 4,597 | 4,616 | 4,645 | 4,630 | 4,657 | 4,715 | 4,713 | 4,722 | 4,751 | 4,761 |
Understanding UK workforce jobs: human health and social work
This series tallies employee positions and self-employed roles situated within human health and social work activities across the United Kingdom, encompassing residential care, hospitals, medical practices, and social work support. Both publicly funded health service roles and privately operated care home positions are captured within this industry division. Construction, administrative support, and retail positions located in other sectors are excluded.
Analysis of this sector must account for continuous recruitment drives and funding adjustments that create multi-quarter expansion trends largely insulated from wider economic cycles. Seasonality is relatively muted compared to retail or agriculture, though student nurse intakes and academic term cycles introduce minor intra-year patterns. Analysts should avoid assuming all roles in this category require clinical qualifications, as a substantial portion comprises administrative, catering, and estate management staff.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this cover private care homes as well as public hospitals?
- Yes, all health and social work positions regardless of funding source are aggregated within this division.
- Are medical administrative staff counted here?
- Yes, anyone employed within the health and social work industry is included, regardless of their specific occupational duties.
- Why does this sector show steady growth relative to manufacturing?
- Demographic ageing and expanded healthcare service provision drive persistent structural demand for labour in this category.