Industries with the Highest Growth in Employment in the UK in 2023

1. Conference Centres Letting & Operating in the UK

Employment Growth for 2023: 45.0%

Industry revenue dropped at a compound annual rate of 0.7% to £721 million over the five years through 2022-23. This was mostly driven by COVID-19 causing revenue to plummet in 2020-21, which conference centres are yet to fully bounce back from.

The EU referendum drove volatility in business markets, with many companies holding off on spending while market conditions were uncertain. However, conference centres continued to attract bookings; they drew in demand by investing in improving venues (renovating spaces, introducing new technologies, etc.). At the same time, the government was promoting the UK's reputation for hosting quality events to try to... Learn More

2. Scheduled Passenger Air Transport in the UK

Employment Growth for 2023: 34.2%

The industry includes all British companies that transport passengers on domestic or international routes on regular timetables. Passenger air travel is largely considered to be discretionary and industry performance is influenced by consumer and business confidence, the level of disposable income and airfares. Although passenger numbers remain fairly robust during weak economic conditions, changes in consumers' propensity to spend on discretionary items has a more profound effect on revenue, as price competition intensifies when consumer confidence is low.

Industry revenue recovered from a post-EU referendum decline, growing during the two years through 2018-19, as strengthening demand for low-cost carriers offset the... Learn More

3. Non-Alcoholic Beer Production in the UK

Employment Growth for 2023: 32.5%

Per-capita alcohol consumption, income, price, health consciousness and consumer preferences drive non-alcoholic beer producers' performance. Over the five years through 2022-23, revenue is set to grow at a compound annual rate of 30% to £807.6 million, including growth of 34.2% in 2022-23, with the average industry profit margin hitting 19.7%.

Shrinking alcohol consumption per capita alongside growing health consciousness is paving the way for industry growth. Popular craft beer producers are rapidly introducing no-alcohol and sustainable beer varieties, driving growth in the non-alcoholic beer industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers stuck at home cut out booze, dabbing into non-alcoholic beer... Learn More

4. Language Learning Software Developers in the UK

Employment Growth for 2023: 22.0%

Industry operators create language learning software, which includes language learning games, speech recognition technology, online practice sessions with native speakers and language exchange platforms. The industry has been expanding substantially, with revenue estimated to grow at a compound annual rate of 18.2% over the five years through 2021-22. This strong growth is in part explained by the fact that the industry is fairly young, as the majority of its companies have been operating for less than 10 years. Language learning apps have grown in popularity among consumers, providing a cheaper alternative to traditional face-to-face courses while offering greater flexibility to... Learn More

5. Online Food Ordering & Delivery Platforms in the UK

Employment Growth for 2023: 17.7%

Over the five years through 2022-23, online food ordering and delivery revenue has risen at a compound annual rate of 29.4%. Meal stipends and sales from commercial markets are rising as workers return to the office and the workload increases. Time-poor consumers are increasingly turning to food ordering and delivery platforms for convenient, quick and high-quality food. An entertaining-at-home trend, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has also supported growth.

Growing demand from food outlets has enabled operators to expand the range of food that they offer. In particular, restaurants and takeaways have joined online food platforms to gain access to a... Learn More

6. Online Recruitment Sites in the UK

Employment Growth for 2023: 15.8%

Over the five years through 2021-22, industry revenue is anticipated to increase at a compound annual rate of 9.3%. Online recruitment sites have become increasingly popular. While industry operators cannot charge candidates, having more registered CVs and website visitors allows online recruitment companies to command a higher fee from businesses for their services. As a result, industry players have expanded ancillary services to attract more clients and ensure successful placements. Regarding employment trends, government, healthcare, education, IT and technology, and the hospitality and tourism markets have been key in driving demand over the past five years.

Despite generally positive conditions, the... Learn More

7. Sea & Coastal Passenger Water Transport in the UK

Employment Growth for 2023: 15.3%

The Sea and Coastal Passenger Water Transport industry offers a range of services, including cruises, ferry services and fishing charters. The industry is therefore reliant on domestic and international tourism. Cruise ships have performed robustly over most of the past five-year period and have expanded by marketing value, such as all-inclusive holidays. However, demand for international ferry services has wavered as a result of intense competition from air and rail transport. Moreover, travel restrictions in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak caused passenger numbers to plummet during 2020-21.

Industry revenue is expected to decline at a compound annual rate of 8%... Learn More

8. Fraud Detection Software Developers in the UK

Employment Growth for 2023: 15.1%

Operators in the Fraud Detection Software Developers industry develop algorithms and software to detect fraudulent activity, such as payment card fraud, money laundering activities, identity theft, and insurance and subscription fraud. The number of activities conducted on the web, including online commerce and online banking, has surged in recent years, triggering an explosion of data tools and software, including software designed to ensure that sensitive personal information and payment card information is kept safe. As organised crime schemes have become increasingly sophisticated, fraud detection software has followed suit. The growth in artificial intelligence has shifted industry interest from rule-based systems... Learn More

9. Social Media Platforms in the UK

Employment Growth for 2023: 12.7%

Social media is a broad and diverse term that has come to include a greater number of activities over time. The Social Media Platforms industry includes the activities of social networking website publishers and developers. This industry does not include companies that mainly develop games, messaging services, internet content, online dating, online recruitment websites, online forums, online videos and blogs. Over the five years through 2022-23, industry revenue is forecast to rise at a compound annual rate of 23.8% to reach £2.6 billion.

Industry revenue has been very volatile over the past five-year period. In 2017-18, revenue declined for the first... Learn More

10. Wine Production in the UK

Employment Growth for 2023: 12.2%

The number of acres planted with grapevines in the United Kingdom more than doubled over the past 10 years, according to trade association Wine GB. Over the past five years, rising domestic and international interest in British wine has been supported by major international awards for UK-produced wines. Wine is mostly produced in the South of England and is predominantly sparkling. Warmer-than-average weather in recent years has improved grape yields and wine quality, supporting the reputation of the UK Wine Production industry. Over the five years through 2022-23, industry revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of... Learn More