Total UK union membership rises to 6.6 million in 2025, official figures show

Trade union membership in the UK increased by 192,000 in 2025, taking the total number of union members to 6.6 million, according to figures published by the Department for Business and Trade.

The figures showed the proportion of UK employees who were trade union members rose from 22.0% in 2024 to 22.4% in 2025.

Union membership among male employees increased by 153,000 to around 2.9 million, while female membership rose by 39,000 to 3.7 million.

Membership growth was recorded across both the public and private sectors.

In the private sector, union membership increased by 76,000 to 2.5 million employees.

In the public sector, membership rose by 116,000 to 4.0 million employees, driven by an increase of 142,000 male members, although the number of female public sector union members fell by 26,000.

The data also highlighted differences between union members and non-members.

Nearly two-thirds (65%) of union members held a degree, equivalent qualification or another higher education qualification, compared with 52% of non-union employees and 54% of employees overall.