Inactivity rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Inactivity rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) was 37.16 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Inactivity rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in United Kingdom, 1995–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 37.16 for inactivity rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.1% on the previous year and down 0.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, inactivity rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in United Kingdom peaked at 38.45 in 2001 and was at its lowest, 37.06, in 2019.
That places United Kingdom 39th out of 75 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Inactivity rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 38.43 | — |
| 1996 | 38.31 | -0.3% |
| 1997 | 38.14 | -0.5% |
| 1998 | 38.24 | +0.3% |
| 1999 | 38.33 | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 38.09 | -0.6% |
| 2001 | 38.45 | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 38.21 | -0.6% |
| 2003 | 38.13 | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 38.12 | -0.0% |
| 2005 | 38.07 | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 37.47 | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 37.73 | +0.7% |
| 2008 | 37.22 | -1.4% |
| 2009 | 37.43 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 37.66 | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 37.66 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 37.51 | -0.4% |
| 2013 | 37.39 | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 37.33 | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 37.25 | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 37.09 | -0.4% |
| 2017 | 37.1 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 37.11 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 37.06 | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 37.17 | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 37.8 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 37.78 | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 37.77 | -0.0% |
| 2024 | 37.96 | +0.5% |
| 2025 | 37.16 | -2.1% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 37.16 is below the median for high income countries, which is 37.66, 99% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 37.16 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 38.5, 97% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 38.29 | 38.14 | 38.43 | 5 |
| 2000s | 37.89 | 37.22 | 38.45 | 10 |
| 2010s | 37.32 | 37.06 | 37.66 | 10 |
| 2020s | 37.61 | 37.16 | 37.96 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More gender data for United Kingdom
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 11,226 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -0.9161 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 60,060 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 60,060 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 0.7034 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 335,907 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 353,938 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 340,922 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 359,075 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 343,706 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is inactivity rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in United Kingdom?
- Inactivity rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in United Kingdom was 37.16 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest inactivity rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 38.45 in 2001.
- What is the lowest inactivity rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 37.06 in 2019.
- How does United Kingdom rank for inactivity rate (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
- United Kingdom ranks 39th out of 75 countries with data for 2025.
- Is inactivity rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Inactivity rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This indicator conveys the number of persons of working age outside the labour force (that is, not employed or unemployed) expressed as a percentage of the working-age population. For more information, refer to the International Labour Migration Statistics (ILMS) database description.