The security industry landscape is shifting. Recent data from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) reveals a sector that is growing in numbers but facing significant demographic changes. From a sharp decline in young recruits to the rise of Door Supervisor licenses, here is a breakdown of the state of the industry in 2025.
The Industry is Growing
As of the end of 2025, there were 460,138 active SIA license holders holding a total of 519,168 active licenses. This represents a healthy increase from 2023, which saw 431,701 registered holders and 486,042 active licenses.
However, the flow of new talent is slowing down. While renewals remain strong, the number of first-time licenses issued has dropped significantly over the last year:
- 2025: 79,458 first-time licenses (vs. 87,278 renewals)
- 2024: 94,332 first-time licenses (vs. 104,594 renewals)
- 2023: 85,801 first-time licenses (vs. 87,821 renewals)
A clear trend has emerged over the last three years: renewals are consistently outpacing new entrants, suggesting an industry that is retaining experienced staff but perhaps struggling to attract fresh faces.
A Demographic Shift: Where are the Youth?
The most concerning statistic for the future of the industry is the dramatic drop in young professionals. In 2023, 18-21 year olds made up 22.4% of the workforce. By 2025, that figure has plummeted to just 5.3%.
Age Breakdown:
- Mean Average Age: 26 (remaining stable since 2023)
- Largest Group: 22–30 year olds (27.8%)
- Second Largest: 31–40 year olds (24%)
- Older Demographics: The 41–50 age bracket accounts for 19.1%. Remarkably, the industry includes one license holder aged 100 and two aged 96!
Gender Balance Remains Stagnant
Despite efforts across many sectors to improve diversity, the gender gap in the security industry has remained virtually unchanged.
- Male: 89.05% (compared to 89.1% in 2023)
- Female: 10.95% (compared to 10.9% in 2023)
License Types: The Rise of the Door Supervisor
The composition of roles within the industry is changing. The Door Supervisor license continues to dominate and expand its market share, while traditional Security Guarding is seeing a decline.
- Door Supervisor: 71.3% (up from 68.5% in 2023 and 66.5% in 2022)
- CCTV: 12.6% (up from 12.1% in 2023, moving into second place)
- Security Guarding: 10.9% (down from 13.3% in 2023)
- Close Protection: 2.2% (down from 2.8% in 2023)
Commitment to the Profession
One positive indicator for training providers is the conversion rate from course completion to licensing. In 2025, 81.3% of those who took an SIA course went on to pay for their license. This mirrors the 2023 figure and remains a substantial improvement over 2022, where only 79.4% fully committed to the profession.
Where is the Work?
London continues to be the hub of the UK security industry, increasing its share of the workforce.
- London: 28.1% (up from 27.2%)
- Manchester: 6.9% (up from 6.6%)
- Birmingham: 5.5% (down slightly from 5.6%)
- Heathrow: 5.3% (down slightly from 5.6%)
- Luton: 2.2% (unchanged)
- Glasgow: 1.7% (unchanged)
Nationality and Diversity
The workforce remains diverse, though the makeup of nationalities is evolving. The proportion of British nationals has decreased, while other groups have seen significant growth.
- British: 52.7% (down from 58.4% in 2023)
- Pakistani: 15.9% (up from 10.6% in 2023)
- Nigerian: 6.1% (up from 4% in 2023)
- Ghanaian: 1.7%
- Italian: 1.5% (down from 2.2% in 2023)
Summary
The security industry remains strong and stable, with 460,138 SIA license holders and 519,168 active licenses recorded in 2025. This marks a steady 6-7% increase compared to 2023, highlighting consistent growth in the sector.
However, the industry is struggling to attract new talent. The number of first-time licenses issued declines annually, and the proportion of young professionals (aged 18–21) in the workforce has plummeted from 22.4% in 2023 to just 5.3% in 2025.
The industry boasts a young and dynamic workforce, with 22–30-year-olds comprising the largest age group at 27.8%.
Door Supervisor licenses account for a dominant 71.3% of the sector, contrasting with a steady decline in traditional Security Guarding licences. Meanwhile, gender diversity remains stagnant, with a persistent split of 89% male and 11% female representation.
London maintains its dominance with a 28.1% share of the workforce. While the industry remains notably diverse, the proportion of British nationals within the sector continues to decline.
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