Health conditions among working-age people
About 2 mins
Key points
- Ill-health among the UK’s working-age population has increased over the past decade.
- In 2026 (January to March), almost 8.8 million people aged 16–64 reported a long-term health condition that limits the type or amount of work they can do.
- This includes over 4.2 million employed people and 4.1 million who were neither in work nor actively seeking work (known as being economically inactive).
Long-term health conditions can affect the kinds or amount of work people can do. If a person’s long-term health condition limits either the type of work they can do, or the amount, then it is described as work-limiting. The number of people reporting work-limiting health conditions has increased in the last decade.
The chart shows the number of working-age people with and without a work-limiting health condition by employment status for January to March 2026. Click or tap the groups in the interactive chart for a more detailed breakdown of the type of work-limiting health condition present or a breakdown of people with a non-limiting health condition vs no health condition, grouped by employment status.
- Over 4.2 million (13.0%) employed people reported a work-limiting health condition. Musculoskeletal conditions were the most common (reported by over 1.1 million people).
- Over 4.1 million (46.0%) inactive people, those neither in work nor actively seeking work, reported a work-limiting health condition. Mental health conditions were the most common (reported by 1.1 million people).
- Almost 0.5 million (26.2%) unemployed people, those unable to find work while actively seeking and available for it, reported a work-limiting health condition. Mental health conditions were the most common (reported by over 0.1 million people).
There is a two-way relationship between work and health. The UK needs to build a system focused on keeping people healthy and in-work.
- The data presented here are weighted estimates from the Labour Force survey, a quarterly survey of employment in the UK.
- A condition is considered to be work-limiting if it affects either the amount or type of work an individual can do.
- Condition breakdowns refer to an individual's primary health condition.
- Chronic conditions include diabetes, respiratory, vascular, stomach or digestion problems. Other conditions include (but not limited to) communication or sensory problems, epilepsy, progressive illnesses, severe or specific learning difficulties, autism and skin conditions.
- Working-age refers to people aged between 16 and 64.
Source: Labour Force Survey, Office for National Statistics, January–March 2026.
Evidence Hub topics
Related reading
The Commission for Healthier Working Lives, supported by the Health Foundation, reviewed and published new evidence on the long-term changes needed to improve working-age people’s health and help more people with health conditions to thrive in the workforce.