UK photonics grew by 16% from 2022 to 2024 and now generates annual revenues of £18.5 billion, according to the latest analysis from the Photonics Leadership Group at Laser World of Photonics in June 2025. Sector productivity now exceeds £101,000 gross value added per employee, making photonics one of the most productive sectors in the UK.
The latest update to PLG’s definitive report UK Photonics 2025: the hidden economic engine highlights
- 2024 UK photonics revenues of £18.5 billion
- Like-for-like growth of over 16% (7.8% CAGR) and absolute growth of over 20% in two years
- Sector employment of 84,800 people, up 8.4% 2022-2024
- Gross value added to economy of £8.6 billion (the sum of sector profit and employee benefits paid)
- Productivity of £101,000 gross value added per photonics employee.
The PLG forecast the industry will grow to between £19.2 and £21.6 billion by 2026 and is on-track to reach its vision of being a £50 billion industry by 2035.
UK photonics growth continues to outperform growth in the rest of UK manufacturing. The long term growth of UK photonics has exceeded 4% CAGR since 2012, four times the long term rate achieved by overall UK manufacturing sector in comparison to data from the UK office of national statistics. UK photonics now employees more people than the automotive of aerospace manufacturing sectors and three times more than employed in iron and steel, chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Dr John Lincoln, Chief Executive, Photonics Leadership Group, said:
“Photonics is not just growing, it’s accelerating. Our industry is delivering high-value jobs, world-class productivity, and mission-critical technologies to meet global challenges. These latest figures reflect how deeply embedded photonics has become across the UK economy and how essential it is to the world’s future.”Shahida Imani, Chairman, Photonics Leadership Group, CEO Singular Photonics, said:
“The scale of impact outlined in this report reinforces what those of us in the field have long known- photonics is not a niche technology, but a foundational enabler of the future economy. With £18.5 billion in output, over 84,000 high-skilled jobs, and one of the highest productivity rates in UK manufacturing, the photonics sector is now rivalling traditional giants like aerospace and automotive. As we look toward 2035, our mission is clear: to amplify this momentum with bold leadership, collaborative innovation, and sustained investment. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to position the UK as the global powerhouse for light-enabled technologies—and we are ready to lead with purpose and ambition.”
Nine UK regions now produce over £1 billion worth of photonics goods and services, based on over 1,600 operational locations across the UK. With regional strengths from the South West to Scotland and Northern Ireland, eleven of the twelve UK regions employee more than 4000 people in photonics.
The UK Photonics 2025: The Hidden Economic Engine, report is available to download. Hardcopies Copies are from the Photonics Leadership Group.
