The UK mining and quarrying sector employment is forecasted to decline steadily from 48.96 thousand in 2024 to 44.49 thousand in 2028. This represents a year-on-year decrease of approximately 2.35% between 2024 and 2025, and continues at a similar rate across the forecast period with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of -2.36% from 2024 to 2028. In 2023, the actual figures were slightly higher, indicating a consistent downward trend.

Future trends to watch for include:

Advancements in automation and technology potentially leading to further reductions in employment.
Evolving regulations on sustainability that could impact workforce demand.
External economic factors such as commodity prices affecting the sector’s employment stability.