Wellbeing | The UK's ill-health employment gap: What it means for businesses

The United Kingdom faces a significant challenge in integrating individuals with health conditions into the workforce. Recent research indicates that one in five UK workers (21%) report health limitations, ranking among the highest in the EU15. Moreover, the UK has one of the widest employment gaps between people with and without health conditions.

This growing divide is particularly concerning as the number of working-age people with long-term illnesses has reached record highs. Many individuals with health conditions are unable to access or remain in work due to a lack of employer support, insufficient flexibility or inaccessible workplace policies. As a result, businesses are missing out on valuable skills and the economy is experiencing lower workforce participation.

Addressing this issue is not just a social responsibility but a business imperative. In this blog, we’ll outline how employers can help close the ill-health gap by investing in inclusive hiring, workplace adjustments and employee wellbeing initiatives.

The ill-health employment gap: A closer look

The ill-health employment gap refers to the disparity in employment rates between individuals with health conditions and those without. In the UK, this gap has been steadily widening, particularly among the youngest and oldest workers. For instance, the likelihood of 16-24 year olds with health limitations being out of work more than doubled between 2018 and 2022. Similarly, for workers aged 55-64, the likelihood of being out of work due to ill health increased in the UK, while it declined in most EU15 countries.