The Number of Electricians in the UK

We can all agree that there are a lot of tradespeople in the UK, all of which play an important part in keeping our homes, workplaces and society as a whole running effectively.

Of these trades, it’s hard to deny the fact that electricians are some of the busiest skilled workers out there. From powering our homes and businesses to helping society swap to renewable energy, electricians are hugely important.

However, the number of electricians in the UK is changing and there’s no guarantee that the current number will be able to meet the growing demand for electrical services.

In this article, we delve into the electrician workforce in the UK, covering how many electricians there are, the number of employment opportunities available and if that number is likely to change going forward.

Number of Electricians

The number of electricians in the UK varies greatly, there are always people joining the profession, changing professions and retiring. As is the case when we’re looking at any trade in the UK construction industry, it’s better to take a look at averages.

According to recent figures, there are approximately 230,000 electricians in the UK. This might sound like a lot, but it’s actually slightly fewer than there used to be, with many regions facing electrician shortages.

This electrical workforce is a key part of the installation, maintenance and repair of electrical systems. Residential, commercial and industrial environments all rely on electricians up and down the country. Though 230,000 electricians is a lot of people providing a service, it’s not necessarily enough for the entire country, not if recent reports are anything to go by.

Number of Electrical Companies

There are a lot of electrical companies in the UK, but do you know how many? As of 2023, there are thought to be between 48,300 and 55,400 electrician businesses in the UK.

This is an increase of 1.3% from 2022, showing that the demand for electrical services is growing somewhat. This increase is an average, with the number of businesses in the electrician industry growing steadily by 1.3% per year between 2018 and 2023.

This is a small amount of growth, but growth nonetheless.

Number of Electricians in London

With approximately 230,000 electricians in the UK, it makes sense that a large percentage can be found in London. In busy cities and urban areas, the demand for electricians is particularly high.

This reflects a city’s increased need for residential, commercial and infrastructural electrical services. With more properties and people, there are more electrical problems that need to be taken care of.

The diverse range of projects in London ensures that electricians in London are consistently in high demand. This means that there’s rarely a lack of employment opportunities for skilled tradespeople.

Regional Breakdown

Despite the importance of their skills, many regions across the UK are currently experiencing a shortage of electricians. This shortage is reflected by recent figures, which showcase a large number of electrician vacancies across the country.

The most significant shortages can be found in Surrey, Hertfordshire and Middlesex, where there’s a growing demand for electrical work – this is largely due to electrical work that’s needed for new builds and developments, as well as existing electrical systems that need updating – and too few electricians to keep up with the demand.

The lack of electricians in these areas means that projects are taking longer to finish.

Change Over Time

The construction sector has changed a lot in recent years, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to electricians. In fact, it’s likely to continue changing, for the next five years and beyond.

From 2010 to 2019, the number of electricians in the UK has fluctuated a lot. In 2019, approximately 259,000 individuals were working as an electrician, compared to an average of 230,000 in 2023.

Factors such as economic shifts, changing construction demands and the growing popularity of green technologies all have an impact.

The Demand for Electricians

According to a recent report, the UK needs close to a million people to join the trade and construction sector to keep up with the growing demand for labour. Of the 937,000 individuals needed, an impressive 104,000 more electricians are needed by 2032. This is more than any of the other trades, including plumbers, carpenters and bricklayers.

The demand for electricians has a lot to do with the UK’s ageing workforce. After Brexit, a lot of workers left the UK, leaving a lot of roles free but without enough people to fill them. At the start of 2021, the skills shortage in the construction sector was at 29% and this rose to 55% by the end of the year.

Are There Enough Electricians in the UK?

This is a question that’s up for debate, and it’s one with a changing answer. Currently, there are fewer electricians in the UK than there have been in previous years, and a lot of roles need to be filled.

There is a growing demand for skilled electrical professionals, and not enough people to fill them. A lot of reports suggest that there’s a significant shortfall in the number of electricians needed to meet current and future demands.

Though there are enough electricians in the UK to complete commercial, residential and industrial projects eventually, delays are common. There is a definite need for a focus on recruitment and incentives to attract more individuals to the trade.

Data Sources

There’s a lot of information out there about how many electricians are in the UK, with data regularly changing and updating. For this blog, we looked at Ibis World, Eruptible and Professional Electrician.