How many people claim benefits?
5.47 million people were on Universal Credit in 2024-25, up from 2.13 million five years earlier. 3.57 million got Personal Independence Payment, and 12.99 million got the state pension.
Million people, 2024-25. up 157% on 2019-20.
Million people, 2024-25. up 61% on 2019-20.
Million people, 2024-25.
Claimants over time
What’s this?
The number of people in the UK getting Universal Credit, in millions. Universal Credit replaced six older benefits from 2013.
What it cannot tell you: A person can get more than one benefit, so caseloads from different benefits cannot be added together.
What’s this?
The number of people in the UK getting Personal Independence Payment, the benefit for the extra costs of long-term illness or disability.
What it cannot tell you: A person can get more than one benefit, so caseloads from different benefits cannot be added together.
What’s this?
The number of people in the UK receiving the State Pension, in millions.
What it cannot tell you: A person can get more than one benefit, so caseloads from different benefits cannot be added together.
What’s this?
The number of people in the UK getting Pension Credit, which tops up low incomes for people above pension age.
What it cannot tell you: A person can get more than one benefit, so caseloads from different benefits cannot be added together.
Year by year
Millions of people, financial years.
| Period | People on Universal Credit | People getting Personal Independence Payment | People receiving the State Pension | People getting Pension Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 5.47 | 3.57 | 12.99 | 1.38 |
| 2023-24 | 4.71 | 3.20 | 12.78 | 1.37 |
| 2022-23 | 4.23 | 2.87 | 12.60 | 1.37 |
| 2021-22 | 4.05 | 2.56 | 12.46 | 1.41 |
| 2020-21 | 3.87 | 2.36 | 12.38 | 1.48 |
| 2019-20 | 2.13 | 2.21 | 12.56 | 1.56 |
| 2018-19 | 1.28 | 1.92 | 12.72 | 1.65 |
| 2017-18 | 0.63 | 1.56 | 12.84 | 1.79 |
| 2016-17 | 0.37 | 1.06 | 12.93 | 1.90 |
| 2015-16 | 0.13 | 0.59 | 12.96 | 2.10 |
Questions people ask
How many people are on Universal Credit?
5.47 million in 2024-25 (DWP). Universal Credit replaced six older benefits, so the number rose as people moved over and as claimants in work were added.
What is PIP?
Personal Independence Payment helps with the extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability. 3.57 million people got it in 2024-25.
Can I add these up to see how many people claim benefits?
No. One person can get more than one benefit, so the caseloads overlap.
What does “people on universal credit” measure?
The number of people in the UK getting Universal Credit, in millions. Universal Credit replaced six older benefits from 2013. It was 5.47 (million people) in 2024-25, up 157% on 2019-20. The highest we have is 5.47 (2024-25) and the lowest 0.00 (2013-14).
What does “people getting personal independence payment” measure?
The number of people in the UK getting Personal Independence Payment, the benefit for the extra costs of long-term illness or disability. It was 3.57 (million people) in 2024-25, up 61% on 2019-20. The highest we have is 3.57 (2024-25) and the lowest 0.01 (2013-14).
What does “people receiving the state pension” measure?
The number of people in the UK receiving the State Pension, in millions. It was 12.99 (million people) in 2024-25, up 3% on 2019-20. The highest we have is 12.99 (2024-25) and the lowest 4.62 (1955-56).
What does “people getting pension credit” measure?
The number of people in the UK getting Pension Credit, which tops up low incomes for people above pension age. It was 1.38 (million people) in 2024-25, down 12% on 2019-20. The highest we have is 2.74 (2009-10) and the lowest 1.37 (2023-24).
Sources: Department for Work and Pensions, Benefit expenditure and caseload tables. Updated every night. Each chart has a CSV and a Share button.
See also: Benefit spending