The UK business landscape continues to evolve and women remain at the forefront. According to newly released figures from the Office for National Statistics (UK), the first quarter of 2025 reveals striking insights into which sectors are employing the highest number of women.
While the gender employment gap persists in some industries, women continue to shape and power key sectors across the economy.
Health and Social Work Leads Female Employment
With 3.69 million women employed, the health and social work sector is the UK’s largest employer of women in 2025. From frontline care to healthcare leadership, women continue to drive the nation’s medical, wellbeing, and social support systems. However, issues of pay equity and burnout remain critical concerns.
Education: Women Shaping Future Generations
The education sector follows closely with 2.52 million women, reinforcing the pivotal role women play in teaching, training, and supporting learning across all levels. While women dominate in classroom-based roles, there is a continued call for greater representation in senior leadership and policy development.
Retail, Public Administration and Professional Services
Other sectors employing significant numbers of women include:
- Wholesale and Retail Trade: 1.68 million
- Public Administration: 1.51 million
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities: 1.37 million
These figures point to a workforce that spans frontline roles, back-office operations, and highly skilled professional services. Women are not confined to any one space—they are contributing across a wide range of functions and industries.
Finance, Technology and Construction: Progress Needed
Despite their economic significance, some of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors still show low female representation:
- Finance and Insurance: 610,000
- Information and Communication (including tech): 489,000
- Construction: 336,000
Access to leadership and technical roles in these sectors remains uneven. However, with more women entering fintech, engineering, and digital careers, the trend is gradually shifting.
Underrepresentation in Traditional Sectors
Certain sectors still reflect stark gender disparities:
- Agriculture: 83,000
- Mining, Energy and Water Supply: 142,000
- Transport and Storage: 432,000
These industries are also undergoing major transformations through sustainability and digitalisation, offering new opportunities for women to lead innovation and drive change.
What This Means for the Future
The data confirms a familiar but important truth: women remain central to the UK economy. While we are well-represented in health, education, and retail, underrepresentation continues in high-growth, high-value sectors.
This is why initiatives like Biz Women Invest matter. By helping women access funding, mentorship, and industry networks, we can accelerate participation in sectors where women remain a minority—and empower more women to start, grow, and lead successful businesses.
Conclusion
Where women work in 2025 reflects both the progress we have made and the opportunities that lie ahead. With millions employed across key sectors, women are powering the UK economy. The challenge now is to ensure greater inclusion, visibility, and leadership in industries that shape the future.
Source:
Office for National Statistics (UK). (2025). Number of women employed in the United Kingdom in 1st quarter 2025 by industry (in 1,000s). Statista. Accessed: July 11, 2025. View data
