Line graph: Workforce employed in agriculture

The line graph shows the percentage of the workforce employed in agriculture in Turkey, Poland, Italy and the United Kingdom between 1960 and 2010.

Overall, the share of farm workers fell in all four countries. The decline was greatest in Turkey, which nevertheless remained the most agricultural economy, while the United Kingdom stayed at a very low level throughout.

Turkey began at 75% in 1960, far above the other countries. This fell steadily to 58% in 1980 and 46% in 1990, then to 36% in 2000 and 25% in 2010, a 50-point drop. Poland followed a similar downward path from a lower base, declining from 45% to 38% in 1970, 30% in 1980 and 27% in 1990. It then fell to 19% in 2000 and 13% in 2010.

Italy experienced the fastest relative decline. Beginning at 32% in 1960, its share dropped to 20% in 1970 and 14% in 1980, and then reached single figures, with 9% in 1990, 6% in 2000 and only 4% in 2010. The United Kingdom had only 4% in 1960 and 3% in both 1970 and 1980. The share then edged down to 2% in 1990 and 2000, and to 1% in 2010.