Characteristics of NMW workers

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Statistics on the NMW tend to focus on the larger group of workers over 25 years old who, until April 2021, have been the only workers are entitled to the National Living Wage (NLW).

They show that workers aged 25 and over are more likely to have jobs paid at the level of the NLW if they have more than one job, are employed on a temporary basis, work part-time or work in the private sector. Women in this age group were more likely to be in a minimum wage job than men.

Percentage of jobs paid at the NMW (NLW):

• less than 2% of public sector;

• nearly 9% of private sector jobs;

• around 5% in the voluntary sector;

• 4% of full-time jobs;

• over 14% of part-time jobs;

• less than 5% of jobs held by men; and

• over 8% of jobs held by women.

Around 8% of employee jobs held by 25-29 year olds were paid at the NLW. This was a higher proportion than for workers in older age groups, with the exception of workers aged 65 and over, where 11% were paid at the NLW. However, there are considerably fewer employees aged 65 and over than there are in other age group.