The level of economic inactivity in the UK presents a major challenge. Since late 2019, the number of people neither working nor looking for work has increased by roughly 12,000 a month net. A new approach is needed. 

A key focus of conversations so far has been on getting those people outside the workforce into work. Just as important, however, is stemming the flow of people leaving the workforce in the first place. This outflow has risen more sharply than the rate of returns to work, driving higher overall levels of inactivity.   

With that in mind, PwC commissioned and undertook research to better understand the problem and to explore where new solutions might be found. We have heard from more than 4,000 UK adults through interviews and surveys as well as several hundred senior business leaders from major employers and SMEs