§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of those of working age have never paid national insurance contributions. [52523]
§ Mr. DenhamThe working age population is some 35,036,000. Departmental estimates show that 34,433,000 people, aged between 16 and state pension age in 1995/96, paid National Insurance contributions at some time between 1975/76 and 1995/96. However, an unknown number of these people are no longer included in the working population, because they have left the country.
For years before 1975/76 it is not possible to distinguish between contributions which were paid and those which were credited.
Sources:
Lifetime Labour Market Database
Population Estimates Unit.