Industries with the Highest Growth in Employment in United Kingdom in 2026

• 1. Waste Management Services in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 28.3%

  The Waste Management Services industry plays a vital role in ensuring that residential and commercial development sites meet regulatory standards regarding contamination. Waste companies provide a range of services, including the remediation and decontamination of soil, groundwater and surface water, the cleaning of pollution such as oil spills and the safe treatment of toxic materials. Interest in site preparation, the level of public concern over environmental issues, weather conditions and...

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• 2. Language Learning Software Developers in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 23.7%

  The language learning software industry has boomed, with revenue estimated to hike at a compound annual rate of 17.9% over the five years through 2024-25. Its successful performance is partially due to the industry's infancy, with most language learning platforms being less than 10 years old. Language learning apps surged in popularity among consumers, providing a cheaper alternative to traditional face-to-face courses while offering greater flexibility to users concerning the time they are w...

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• 3. Vodka Distilleries in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 21.0%

  Alcohol consumption, demand from pubs and bars, disposable income, health consciousness and the exchange rate heavily influence the revenue of vodka distilleries. Competition in the vodka industry is fierce, with many of the most popular brands in the UK being produced internationally. Other spirits also pose strong competition. However, AU Vodka has emerged as the largest UK-produced vodka brand, significantly boosting the industry. Its revenue has increased substantially over the last five ...

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• 4. Fraud Detection Software Developers in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 15.7%

  The number of activities conducted on the web, including online commerce and online banking, has surged, triggering an explosion of data tools and software, including software designed to ensure that sensitive personal information and payment card information are kept safe. As organised crime schemes have become increasingly sophisticated, fraud detection software has followed suit. The growth in artificial intelligence has shifted industry interest from rule-based systems to systems powered ...

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• 5. Immersive Technology in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 15.0%

  Immersive technologies, or extended reality (XR) – an umbrella term for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and haptics – have recorded a boom in popularity over the past decade. In line with greater social acceptance of technology, XR has revolutionised how people interact with data, information and content, making it a staple in modern business processes and next-generation entertainment. Recognising that XR could become the ‘new norm', the government, research ...

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• 6. 3D Printing & Rapid Prototyping Services in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 13.7%

  3D printing and rapid prototyping streamline the prototyping phase, allowing for the creation of intricate parts that traditional methods struggle with, thereby reducing costs and fostering innovation. They push the boundaries of design and performance, securing a competitive advantage in industries like the automotive and aerospace sectors. The ascending adoption of 3D printing from the automotive aftermarket, aircraft manufacturers and a wide range of other sectors is boosting performance. ...

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• 7. Motor Vehicle Battery Manufacturing in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 13.6%

  The growth and shape of the Motor Vehicle Battery Manufacturing industry are closely tied to the automotive market in the UK and internationally. The emergence of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles has boosted revenue; more sustainable complex batteries, including lithium-ion, nickel and calcium-calcium batteries command a higher profit. The new advanced batteries are strengthening the export market, especially in Europe, which is upping its motor electrification. Revenue is projecte...

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• 8. Social Media Platforms in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 12.8%

  Social media platforms are integral to people's lives, offering ways to communicate, create and view content and share information. According to Ofcom, approximately 89% of UK internet users in 2023 used social media apps or sites. Teenagers and young adults are the biggest users, although there is rapid uptake among older age groups. Advertising is the primary revenue source for social media platforms, although subscription-based services are gaining momentum as platforms seek to diversify t...

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• 9. Speech & Voice Recognition Software Developers in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 12.7%

  Speech recognition software recognises the articulated words of a speaker and converts them into a digital format. Voice recognition can be used like a fingerprint and is aimed toward identifying the speaker, often for security purposes, using voice biometrics solutions. Furthermore, voice recognition helps consumers with high-accuracy speech recognition, natural language understanding, dialogue and information management and speech and optical recognition. Software developers in this industr...

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• 10. CRM System Providers in the UK

  Employment Growth for 2026: 12.4%

  Other than implementing strategies for managing a company's interactions with customers, clients and sales prospects, CRM System Providers' services have expanded to include the automation of many back-office roles, sales procedures and marketing personalisation. Growing technology adoption and businesses' desire to make operations more efficient and productive have boosted demand for CRM systems. Revenue is expected to rally at a compound annual rate of 13.4% to £3 billion over the five year...

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