Published by the Design Council, Design Economy 2026 presents design as a distributed economic capability rather than a discrete creative sector. Its growth narrative is substantial: design-generated GVA rose by 40% between 2019 and 2023, almost twice the rate of the wider UK economy. Nearly four in five designers now work outside design industries, including in finance, healthcare, manufacturing and government, while employment in these sectors has grown faster than within design industries.

Yet this economic optimism is tempered by persistent inequalities and concerns about the future talent pipeline. The number of students taking Design and Technology GCSEs has fallen by 68% over the period covered; women represent only 25% of designers; and ethnic diversity remains limited, with some groups significantly underrepresented. The picture for designers with disabilities is mixed: their overall representation is close to that of the wider workforce, but varies substantially across disciplines.

Design Council: Report Design Economy 2026