In this industry, employment is divided fairly equally between men and women. Whilst currently men are in the majority (51%), it is expected that in 2012 most of the workforce (54%) will be women.

Whilst self-employment is insignificant, the proportion of people working part-time is increasing and will continue to do so. This growth of part-time work is mainly due to increases in the number of female employees.
 
Source: Working Futures 2004

A large proportion of the workforce in the sector is aged between 35 and 44 years. The proportion of young people within the sector is less than in the UK workforce as a whole, which might be due to the higher qualification levels needed in the sector.

Age profile of public administration and defence workforce, 2003/2004

Source: SSDA 2004. Based on the Labour Force Survey.

95% of the workforce is white, which is approximately the same as in the UK workforce as a whole (94%). The proportion of Asian and Black employees in this sector is as high as in the whole economy, with 3% Asian and 2% Black employees. 1% of the workforce has a mixed or other ethnic background, which is slightly less than in the whole economy.

The representation of civil servants from an ethnic minority is highest in London with 19.8%. One in five staff from ethnic minorities earn over £20,000 compared with one in three white staff, which reflects the difference in distribution of levels of responsibility. 

The Race Relations (Amendment) Act (2000) has placed a statutory requirement on local governments to tackle racial discrimination and promote equality. Ethnic diversity within the workforce is a key element of new strategies, for example click here for initial guidance for local authorities deriving from the Stephen Lawrence inquiry and the Home Secretary’s action plan.

For further reports see police and community justice - Race and equality reports.

Source: SSDA 2004, ORC International 2001 and CGNTO 2001a

N.B. Available date includes the defence sector statistics and is based on the Labour Force Survey.

The proportion of the workforce with disabilities in the civil service is 4% compared to 8.6% in the economically active population. This means people with disabilities are under-represented in the sector. In the Civil Service, people with disabilities are underrepresented in all the home nations and regions.

23.2% of employees with disabilities earned over £20,000 compared with 30.2% of non-disabled staff, reflecting their distribution at different responsibility levels.

1.7% of Senior Civil Servants have disabilities.

Source: ORC International 2001 and CGNTO 2001a

For more information about diversity in the sector go to the Civil Service Diversity What Works website which includes further information, and facts and figures on:

sexuality

religion/belief 

Examples of good practice are also available on this website.

Detailed statistics on diversity in the civil service is available in the Civil Service Diversity Survey – Result Report (2001).