Selected Issues Papers

The Recent Decline in United Kingdom Labor Force Participation: Causes and Potential Remedies

Author/Editor:

Gloria Li ; Carlos Mulas-Granados

Publication Date:

July 13, 2023

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Summary:

This paper studies the puzzling decline in labor force participation observed in the UK following the pandemic. Retirement and long-term sickness appear to be the main drivers, with chronic illness remaining a lingering distinctive factor vis-a-vis peer countries. While the government has recently adopted a battery of measures to increase labor force participation, more could be done to improve health outcomes and increase the participation of the long-term sick and the disabled, keep older workers in the labor force, increase female labor force participation, and improve the skills and productivity of both domestic and foreign workers that join the workforce.

Series:

Selected Issues Paper No. 2023/051

Subject:

Aging Health International organization Labor Labor force Labor force participation Labor markets Monetary policy Population and demographics

Frequency:

Regular