Share of agriculture in total employment in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Share of agriculture in total employment was 2.0% in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2011)
2.0%
Change on year
up 5.3%
World rank
39th
of 44 countries
All-time high
30.8%
in 1801
All-time low
1.7%
in 2001
Years of data
92
1801–2011
Share of agriculture in total employment in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 1801–2011
Source: Herrendorf et al. and Groningen Growth and Development Centre (2015) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of agriculture in total employment in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 2.0%, measured in 2011.
The figure is up 5.3% on the previous year and up 17.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of agriculture in total employment in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 30.8% in 1801 and was at its lowest, 1.7%, in 2001.
That places United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 39th out of 44 countries with data for 2011, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of agriculture in total employment in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1801 | 30.8% | — |
| 1841 | 21.1% | -31.5% |
| 1851 | 22.3% | +5.7% |
| 1861 | 26.9% | +20.6% |
| 1871 | 22.2% | -17.5% |
| 1881 | 19.0% | -14.4% |
| 1891 | 15.7% | -17.4% |
| 1901 | 13.0% | -17.2% |
| 1911 | 11.8% | -9.2% |
| 1920 | 8.6% | -27.1% |
| 1921 | 9.3% | +8.1% |
| 1922 | 9.1% | -2.2% |
| 1923 | 8.7% | -4.4% |
| 1924 | 8.6% | -1.1% |
| 1925 | 8.5% | -1.2% |
| 1926 | 8.3% | -2.4% |
| 1927 | 8.0% | -3.6% |
| 1928 | 7.9% | -1.2% |
| 1929 | 7.7% | -2.5% |
| 1930 | 7.6% | -1.3% |
| 1931 | 7.6% | +0.0% |
| 1932 | 7.5% | -1.3% |
| 1933 | 7.4% | -1.3% |
| 1934 | 7.1% | -4.1% |
| 1935 | 6.8% | -4.2% |
| 1936 | 6.5% | -4.4% |
| 1937 | 6.1% | -6.2% |
| 1938 | 5.9% | -3.3% |
| 1948 | 5.6% | -5.1% |
| 1949 | 5.6% | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 5.5% | -1.8% |
| 1951 | 5.3% | -3.6% |
| 1952 | 5.2% | -1.9% |
| 1953 | 5.0% | -3.8% |
| 1954 | 4.9% | -2.0% |
| 1955 | 4.8% | -2.0% |
| 1956 | 4.7% | -2.1% |
| 1957 | 4.6% | -2.1% |
| 1958 | 4.6% | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 4.6% | +0.0% |
| 1960 | 4.4% | -4.3% |
| 1961 | 4.2% | -4.5% |
| 1962 | 4.1% | -2.4% |
| 1963 | 4.1% | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 3.9% | -4.9% |
| 1965 | 3.6% | -7.7% |
| 1966 | 3.5% | -2.8% |
| 1967 | 3.4% | -2.9% |
| 1968 | 3.3% | -2.9% |
| 1969 | 3.2% | -3.0% |
| 1970 | 3.1% | -3.1% |
| 1971 | 2.9% | -6.5% |
| 1972 | 2.9% | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 2.9% | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 2.8% | -3.4% |
| 1975 | 2.7% | -3.6% |
| 1976 | 2.6% | -3.7% |
| 1977 | 2.6% | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 2.6% | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 2.5% | -3.8% |
| 1980 | 2.5% | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 2.7% | +8.0% |
| 1982 | 2.7% | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 2.7% | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 2.8% | +3.7% |
| 1985 | 2.7% | -3.6% |
| 1986 | 2.6% | -3.7% |
| 1987 | 2.6% | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 2.6% | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 2.4% | -7.7% |
| 1990 | 2.4% | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 2.5% | +4.2% |
| 1992 | 2.5% | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 2.5% | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 2.4% | -4.0% |
| 1995 | 2.3% | -4.2% |
| 1996 | 2.3% | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 2.3% | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 2.2% | -4.3% |
| 1999 | 2.0% | -9.1% |
| 2000 | 1.8% | -10.0% |
| 2001 | 1.7% | -5.6% |
| 2002 | 1.7% | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 1.7% | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 1.7% | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 1.8% | +5.9% |
| 2006 | 1.7% | -5.6% |
| 2007 | 1.7% | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 1.8% | +5.9% |
| 2009 | 1.9% | +5.6% |
| 2010 | 1.9% | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 2.0% | +5.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800s | 30.8% | 30.8% | 30.8% | 1 |
| 1840s | 21.1% | 21.1% | 21.1% | 1 |
| 1850s | 22.3% | 22.3% | 22.3% | 1 |
| 1860s | 26.9% | 26.9% | 26.9% | 1 |
| 1870s | 22.2% | 22.2% | 22.2% | 1 |
| 1880s | 19.0% | 19.0% | 19.0% | 1 |
| 1890s | 15.7% | 15.7% | 15.7% | 1 |
| 1900s | 13.0% | 13.0% | 13.0% | 1 |
| 1910s | 11.8% | 11.8% | 11.8% | 1 |
| 1920s | 8.5% | 7.7% | 9.3% | 10 |
| 1930s | 6.9% | 5.9% | 7.6% | 9 |
| 1940s | 5.6% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 2 |
| 1950s | 4.9% | 4.6% | 5.5% | 10 |
| 1960s | 3.8% | 3.2% | 4.4% | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.8% | 2.5% | 3.1% | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.6% | 2.4% | 2.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.3% | 2.0% | 2.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.8% | 1.7% | 1.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.9% | 1.9% | 2.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
More agriculture & rural data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 8.26 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0064 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 368.63 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -0.1852 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.1668 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 0.6% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 0.6% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 0.4% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.1% (2025)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of agriculture in total employment in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Share of agriculture in total employment in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 2.0% in 2011, according to Herrendorf et al. and Groningen Growth and Development Centre (2015) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of agriculture in total employment recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 30.8% in 1801.
- What is the lowest share of agriculture in total employment recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.7% in 2001.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for share of agriculture in total employment?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 39th out of 44 countries with data for 2011.
- Is share of agriculture in total employment rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Herrendorf et al. and Groningen Growth and Development Centre (2015) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of agriculture in total employment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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