UK public sector employment in March is estimated at 5.95 million, 24,000 more than in December 2023 with central government being the main contributor to the increase; public sector employment up by 125,000 year-over-year: ONS

June 11, 2024 (press release) –

Estimates of people employed in the public and private sectors in the UK.

Main points

• Total public sector employment increased in March 2024 compared with the previous quarter and the previous year; the March 2024 level is the highest since March 2012.
• There were an estimated 5.95 million employees in the public sector in March 2024, which is 24,000 (0.4%) more than in December 2023 and 125,000 (2.1%) more than in March 2023.
• Employment in central government was an estimated 3.76 million in March 2024, up 27,000 (0.7%) compared with December 2023 and up 129,000 (3.5%) compared with March 2023; the main contributors to this increase were the NHS, the Civil Service, and local authority schools becoming academies.
• The NHS employed an estimated 2.02 million people in March 2024, an increase of 12,000 (0.6%) compared with December 2023 and an increase of 79,000 (4.1%) compared with March 2023.
• There were 543,000 employees in the Civil Service in March 2024, up 8,000 (1.5%) compared with December 2023 and up 22,000 (4.2%) compared with March 2023.
• Employment in local government was an estimated 1.99 million in March 2024, which is 3,000 (0.2%) less than in December 2023 and 5,000 (0.3%) less than in March 2023.

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