"The future size and composition of the labour force are of significant interest to policy makers, businesses and others making assessments of long-term socio-economic trends. This article presents the results of the latest set of labour force projections produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The projections have been produced by using econometric modelling techniques to show the future pattern of age/sex specific labour market activity rates indicated by past trends. These projected rates have been applied to published UK population projections to yield labour force projections by age and sex The labour force is projected to continue growing until 2020, although at a declining rate. The number of economically active people is expected to reach 32.1 million in 2020, equivalent to an increase of 6.7 per cent from 2005. The economic activity rate of people aged 16 and over is projected to fall to 61.7 per cent in 2020, while the activity rate of people of working age (16-59/64) is projected to rise to 79.8 per cent in 2020. "

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