Inactivity rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Inactivity rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 37.16 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Inactivity rate in United Kingdom, 2005–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 37.16 for inactivity rate in 2025.
That represents a change of down 2.1% on the previous year and down 0.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, inactivity rate in United Kingdom peaked at 38.83 in 2014 and was at its lowest, 37.06, in 2019.
That places United Kingdom 34th out of 57 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Inactivity rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 37.87 | — |
| 2006 | 37.45 | -1.1% |
| 2007 | 37.63 | +0.5% |
| 2008 | 37.42 | -0.6% |
| 2009 | 37.63 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 37.86 | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 37.88 | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 37.7 | -0.5% |
| 2013 | 37.62 | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 38.83 | +3.2% |
| 2015 | 37.43 | -3.6% |
| 2016 | 37.28 | -0.4% |
| 2017 | 37.3 | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 37.11 | -0.5% |
| 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 41.12, 90% of the median. (35 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 37.16 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 41.92, 89% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 37.6 | 37.42 | 37.87 | 5 |
| 2010s | 37.61 | 37.06 | 38.83 | 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 in United Kingdom?
- Inactivity rate in United Kingdom was 37.16 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest inactivity rate recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 38.83 in 2014.
- What is the lowest inactivity rate recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 37.06 in 2019.
- How does United Kingdom rank for inactivity rate?
- United Kingdom ranks 34th out of 57 countries with data for 2025.
- Is inactivity rate rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.7%. 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). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. 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. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Disability Labour Market Indicators (DLMI) database description.