The number of payrolled employees in the United Kingdom rose by 20 thousand, or 0.1% to 30.3 million in February 2026, following a revised 6 thousand increase in January. Compared with the corresponding month a year ago, payrolled employment fell by 0.2%, or 49 thousand. The biggest drop was seen in the wholesale and retail sector (-49 thousand), while the largest increase was in the health and social work sector (+42 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Westminster experienced a 2.4% decrease in payrolled employees, whereas Mid Ulster saw a 2.7% rise. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay increased by 4.1% year-on-year to £2,586. The highest growth in median pay was recorded in the public administration and defence sector (+8.3%), while the sharpest fall was in the finance and insurance sector (-2.9%). source: Office for National Statistics

Non Farm Payrolls in the United Kingdom increased by 20 thousand in February of 2026. Non Farm Payrolls in the United Kingdom averaged 25.74 Thousand from 2014 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 196.55 Thousand in May of 2021 and a record low of -454.12 Thousand in April of 2020. This page provides - United Kingdom Payrolled Employees- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United Kingdom HMRC Payrolls Change - values, historical data and charts - was last updated on March of 2026.

Non Farm Payrolls in the United Kingdom increased by 20 thousand in February of 2026. Non Farm Payrolls in the United Kingdom is expected to be 15.00 Thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom HMRC Payrolls Change is projected to trend around 45.00 Thousand in 2027 and 50.00 Thousand in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-17 07:00 AM
HMRC Payrolls Change
Jan -11K -6K -10.0K
2026-03-19 07:00 AM
HMRC Payrolls Change
Feb 20K 6K 5.0K
2026-04-15 06:00 AM
HMRC Payrolls Change
Mar 20K 15.0K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Weekly Hours 31.80 31.90 Hours Jan 2026
Claimant Count Change 24.70 4.70 Thousand Feb 2026
Employed Persons 34310.00 34244.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Change 84.00 52.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Rate 75.10 75.00 percent Jan 2026
Full Time Employment 25523.00 25499.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Job Vacancies 721.00 730.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 79.30 79.20 percent Jan 2026
Labour Costs 112.70 110.70 points Sep 2025
HMRC Payrolls Change 20.17 6.47 Thousand Feb 2026
Part Time Employment 8787.00 8745.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Population 69.49 69.28 Million Dec 2025
Labour Productivity 99.00 99.60 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 1666.90 1662.20 Thousand Jan 2026
Unemployment Rate 5.20 5.20 percent Jan 2026
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr) 3.90 4.20 percent Jan 2026
Average Weekly Wages 742.00 735.00 GBP/Week Jan 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 809.00 809.00 GBP/Week Jan 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 14.50 14.00 percent Jan 2026


United Kingdom HMRC Payrolls Change
In the UK, the number of payrolled employees is defined as the number of people receiving paid remuneration included in PAYE RTI within the reference period, including people who have not done work but are an employee - such as those on paid leave.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
20.17 6.47 196.55 -454.12 2014 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
SA

News Stream
UK Payroll Employment Rises 20K in February
The number of payrolled employees in the United Kingdom rose by 20 thousand, or 0.1% to 30.3 million in February 2026, following a revised 6 thousand increase in January. Compared with the corresponding month a year ago, payrolled employment fell by 0.2%, or 49 thousand. The biggest drop was seen in the wholesale and retail sector (-49 thousand), while the largest increase was in the health and social work sector (+42 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Westminster experienced a 2.4% decrease in payrolled employees, whereas Mid Ulster saw a 2.7% rise. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay increased by 4.1% year-on-year to £2,586. The highest growth in median pay was recorded in the public administration and defence sector (+8.3%), while the sharpest fall was in the finance and insurance sector (-2.9%).
2026-03-19
UK Payroll Employment Drops for 5th Month
The number of payrolled employees in the United Kingdom fell by 11 thousand to 30.3 million in January 2026, following a downwardly revised 6 thousand drop in the previous month. This marked the fifth straight month of decline. Compared with the same month last year, payrolled employment dropped by 0.4%, or 134 thousand. The largest decrease was recorded in the wholesale and retail sector (-65 thousand), while the biggest rise was in the health and social work sector (+39 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Westminster saw a 2.7% fall in payrolled employees, whereas Mid Ulster registered a 2.3% increase. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay rose by 4.6% year-on-year to £2,588. Growth in median pay was highest in the wholesale and retail sector (+6.2%) and lowest in the finance and insurance sector (+2.1%).
2026-02-17
UK Payroll Employment Falls to Lowest Since 2020
The number of payrolled employees in the United Kingdom dropped by 43 thousand, or 0.1% to 30.2 million in December 2025, following a revised 33 thousand fall in the previous month. This was the fourth consecutive monthly decline and the sharpest since November 2020. Compared with the same month a year earlier, payrolled employment decreased by 0.6%, or 184 thousand. The biggest fall was recorded in the wholesale and retail sector (-72 thousand), while the largest increase was in the health and social work sector (+37 thousand). Across NUTS3 regions, Westminster registered a 3% drop in payrolled employees, whereas Mid Ulster saw a 2% rise. Meanwhile, the median monthly pay increased by 4% year-on-year to £2,555. Growth in median pay was highest in the wholesale and retail sector (+5.9%) and lowest in the education sector (+1.4%).
2026-01-20