Trade union statistics
This series brings together all documents relating to trade union statistics.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is responsible, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS), for publishing the annual statistics on trade union membership.
These statistics are primarily produced from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Therefore, they have been re-accredited as Official Statistics in Development.
This is in line with the ONS headline labour market statistics from the LFS. This is because reduced achieved sample sizes for the LFS, particularly in the second half of 2023, have led to more volatile estimates.
The statistics present estimates for:
- the proportion of employees, and people in employment, who are trade union members in both the UK and Great Britain
- employee jobs where pay is set with reference to a collective agreement
We also provide trade union densities by:
- age
- sex
- ethnicity
- income
- full and part-time employment
- sector
- nation
- region
Statistical release timetable
This is an annual publication. Its timing is predetermined and pre-announced in accordance with the arrangements for releasing Official Statistics and National Statistics.
Information on National Statistics, the labour market, and relevant data can be obtained from the ONS website.
Publications from before 2010
Earlier trade union membership publications are available from The National Archives. Alternatively, you can also contact the DBT team responsible for producing these statistics.