Industries with the Highest Growth in Employment in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Waste Management Services in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 28.3%

  The Waste Management Services industry plays a vital role in ensuring that residential and commercial development sites meet regulatory standards regarding contamination. Waste companies provide a range of services, including the remediation and decontamination of soil, groundwater and surface water, the cleaning of pollution such as oil spills and the safe treatment of toxic materials. Interest in site preparation, the level of public concern over environmental issues, weather conditions and...

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• 2. Language Learning Software Developers in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 23.7%

  The language learning software industry has boomed, with revenue estimated to hike at a compound annual rate of 17% over the five years through 2025-26. Its successful performance is partially due to the industry's infancy, with most language learning platforms being less than 10 years old. Language learning apps surged in popularity among consumers, providing a cheaper alternative to traditional face-to-face courses while offering greater flexibility to users concerning the time they are wil...

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• 3. Fraud Detection Software Developers in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 15.7%

  The industry’s expansion has been underpinned by a surge in sophisticated fraud cases and tightening regulatory scrutiny. With over 374,000 fraud incidents reported in 2023 and more than half involving identity fraud, according to UK fraud prevention service association Cifas, UK businesses across financial services, telecoms and other sectors have ramped up their investments in advanced prevention tools. This ongoing battle against increasingly complex scams, like AI-driven credential stuffi...

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• 4. Immersive Technology in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 15.0%

  Immersive technologies, or extended reality (XR) – an umbrella term for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and haptics – have recorded a boom in popularity over the past decade. In line with greater social acceptance of technology, XR has revolutionised how people interact with data, information and content, making it a staple in modern business processes and next-generation entertainment. Recognising that XR could become the ‘new norm', the government, research ...

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• 5. Motor Vehicle Battery Manufacturing in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 13.6%

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• 6. Speech & Voice Recognition Software Developers in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 12.7%

  The expansion of speech and voice recognition software developers has been supported by enterprise software licensing and the proliferation of AI-powered consumer applications. With major developers like Nuance Communications (now a subsidiary of Microsoft) and innovative start-ups like PolyAI securing large-scale, multi-site contracts across various sectors, including automotive, hospitality and healthcare, the industry has demonstrated both versatility and scalability. The integration of sp...

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• 7. CRM System Providers in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 12.4%

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• 8. Petroleum Refining in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 11.0%

  Petroleum refining companies in the UK produce a wide variety of products. Fuels for transport and heating are the most common, with petroleum products for transport consistently accounting for almost three-quarters of product demand, according to DESNZ. Industry revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 8.8% over the five years through 2025-26 to £44.8 billion, including a forecast dip of 2.2% in 2025-26, owing to staggering volatility in crude petroleum and fuel prices in re...

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• 9. Grocery Markets in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 10.9%

  The Grocery Market industry in the UK is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.4% during the five years through 2025-26. In the current year, revenue is estimated to expand by 10.1% to reach £406.7 million. The Grocery Market industry's performance is highly sensitive to the level of household disposable income, as well as competition from other grocery retailers like supermarkets. Health consciousness and environmental awareness are ever-growing, with individuals increasingly more ...

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• 10. Telehealth Services in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 10.8%

  Telehealth continues to digitally innovate, transforming how and where healthcare can be provided. It’s helping people deal better with long-term health conditions like diabetes and cancer. Services are reducing hospital stays, facilitating early hospital discharges, and decreasing patients’ reliance on primary healthcare and GP services.

  Revenue has seen a significant uptick in recent years. Growth is closely tied to advances in telecommunications and the development of wi...

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