The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has published the first UK-wide analysis of public relations practitioners, revealing the national differences in gender representation at senior levels and confirming that practitioner numbers have grown by 53% since 2011.
The PR Population Report: UK-wide edition was produced in partnership with Chalkstream and represents the first dataset to combine Census 2021 and 2022 occupational data for PR practitioners across all four nations. It provides the most comprehensive picture to date of the size and makeup of the UK’s population of PR professionals, identifying 69,470 practitioners across the country.
Among the report’s headline findings, Scotland’s PR sector stands out on gender equity at senior levels. It is the only UK nation where women hold the majority of director-level roles, with 51% of Scottish PR directors being female compared to 46–47% elsewhere. Across the rest of the UK, the analysis confirms a continued gender imbalance, with women making up the majority of the profession while remaining underrepresented at senior levels.
More key findings from the report include:
- The number of PR practitioners in the UK grew by 53% since 2011, rising from 45,359 to 69,470.
- Women make up 60% of PR practitioners UK-wide but only 47% of directors.
- 17% of Scotland’s PR practitioners report a disability that limits daily activities, compared with 8% in England and Wales.
- 14% of Scotland’s practitioners report fair, bad or very bad health, compared with 6% in England and Wales.
- 44% of UK practitioners are aged 16–34, though Scotland has a higher proportion of practitioners aged 50–74 than anywhere else in the UK.
This first-ever UK-wide analysis gives us an unprecedented view of who works in public relations across all four nations. Scotland’s results are particularly striking, and the differences we see between nations prompt important questions about what conditions allow practitioners to thrive and build long and rewarding careers in PR.
For the profession as a whole, this data provides a vital benchmark as we work to build a more representative and inclusive industry. The CIPR will continue working with researchers, employers and practitioners to better understand these findings and ensure our profession is one where talent can flourish regardless of background or location.
Alastair McCapra, CIPR Chief Executive
