Workplace employment by industry: 2001 to 2018

This report is based on data from three different sources and provides estimates of workplace employment (or total jobs) in Wales.

Main points

• In 2018 workplace employment in Wales was 1.45 million. This is the highest level since the series began.
• Between 2017 and 2018 total workplace employment in Wales increased by 28,000 (2.0%). The corresponding UK figure increased by 0.7% over the same period.
• This represents an acceleration in growth in Wales following a few years in which the UK grew faster.

Compared with the UK

• Employment in Wales was proportionately higher in the public administration, defence, education & health sector (which is not the same as the public sector); the production sector; and the agriculture, forestry & fishing sector.
• Employment in Wales was proportionately lower in the wholesale, retail, transport, hotels & food sector and the finance & business activities sector. It was similar to the UK in the other industries sector.

There is substantial variation between industries at the local authority level in Wales.