Diversity in the Civil Service

We’ve used the Civil Service Employment Survey, which is published every year (in October) by the Office for National Statistics. The ONS publication covers subjects including grade, gender, age, ethnicity, disability and profession within the Civil Service. Our analysis of the 2013 survey shows that although the size of the Civil Service has reduced considerably, the composition has remained relatively similar. Where we have seen change, the service has become a little more diverse since 2010. 53% percent of civil servants are women, unchanged from 2010. There are variations by different grade: only 36% of senior civil servants are women, though this has increased by 2% since 2010. However, while 29% of the highest paid jobs are held by women, 64% of the lowest paid jobs are, too. Since 2010, the percentage of civil servants from an ethnic minority has increased slightly, from 9.2% in 2010 to 9.6% in 2013. The percentage of civil servants identifying themselves as disabled has increased since 2010. The percentage of senior civil servants in this category has increased between 2012 and 2013, but at 4.6% is still lower than in 2010. Overall, the Civil Service has got older since 2010. The percentage of civil servants in the age groups 50-59, 60-64 and 65+ has increased, while the percentage of civil servants under the age of 29 has contracted. The Institute’s Bringing In and Bringing On Talent case study takes a longer view. The Cabinet Office has also produced its own analysis to accompany the Civil Service Reform Plan in 2012. Our Whitehall Monitor 2014 annual report, to be published in October, will have further analysis of the composition of the Civil Service.