Size & Health of the UK Space Industry 2023

Published on Friday by the UK Space Agency, the Size and Health of the UK Space Industry 2023 research represents the latest annual research of the UK space sector.

The report is the UK’s key source of information on the UK space sector. Comprising a survey of UK organisations who supply and/or use space or satellite services – from upstream manufacturing right through to downstream satellite-enabled application. This is supplemented by a programme of desk-based research. 

The study tracks key characteristics within the sector including space-related income, employment, number of organisation and investment. It also measures if the sector is growing, and highlights the nature and source of the growth, including trends within sub-sectors, sources of income, and future expectations.

Key Findings:

• The industry numbered 1,765 organisations, a net increase of 175 since last year.
• 31% of UK space income (£5.8 billion) was generated through exports.
• Sector R&D investment sat at £965m, equivalent to 5.1% of Industry income, up from 4.5% in 2020/21. At 13.5% of sector GVA, this was 6 times more R&D intensive than the UK average.
• Labour productivity (GVA per employee) was estimated at £137,910 in 2021/22– 2.3 times the UK average.
• An exceptionally skilled workforce, with over 4 in 5 (80%) employees holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
• Despite a decrease of £142m (-0.7%) from 2020/21, medium-term sector growth remains strong with income increasing by £503m (+2.7%) since 2018/19.
• Employment rose from 48,800 to 52,000, representing 6.7% growth.

• Read the Report

Infographic_Size___Health_of_the_UK_Space_Industry_2023.pdf