In the UK, there are 576,000 people in paid employment in the sector, accounting for almost 2% of the UK workforce. 

• England – 479,900 people, accounting for 83% of UK sector employment
• Wales – 27,000, accounting for 5%
• Scotland – 52,800, accounting for 9%
• Northern Ireland – 16,300, accounting for 3%

In addition, there are over 5 million volunteers in the sector across the UK and much of the sector would find it difficult to operate without the help of unpaid staff.  An estimated further 1.3 million volunteers are needed.

There are 230,708 organisations throughout the UK in public, private and voluntary sectors.  82% of the workforce are employed in small and micro businesses.  In England, the sector has an estimated gross value added (GVA) output of £7.2 billion, 61% of which was produced by the sport and recreation industry.  The outdoors was the smallest industry creating £365 million of output.  Overall the Active Leisure and Learning sector accounts for 0.9% of total output in England.

89% of the workforce in England are employees and 11% self-employed, which is similar to the English workforce as a whole with 13% self-employed.  However, this can vary by industry.  For example the caravan industry has 16% self-employment.  The sector overall does have a significantly higher proportion of part-time workers – 52% compared to 26% across England as a whole.

Over the next 10 years, it is predicted that the sector will grow faster than the economy as a whole.  It is forecast that by 2014, employment levels in England will have increased by 100,000, an increase of 21%.  The sector will also have to recruit 85,000 annually to cope with replacement demand.

Source: Skills Needs Assessment – England 2005, Skills Needs Assessment – Wales 2005, Skills Needs Assessment – Scotland 2005 and Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland 2005

Keywords
Gross value added (GVA) is the difference between the value of goods and services produced and the cost of raw materials and other inputs which are used up in production.