Employee information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

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Summary of Classification of Employee Benefit

All figures in £ millions	Notes		2019			2018			2017
Employee benefit expense
Wages and salaries (including termination costs)				1,258			1,421			1,567
Social security costs				100			112			130
Share-based payment costs		26		25			37			33
Retirement benefits – defined contribution plans		25		57			56			57
Retirement benefits – defined benefit plans		25		13			23			19
Other post-retirement medical benefits		25		(1	)		(12	)		(1	)
Total				1,452			1,637			1,805

Summary of Average Number of Employees

The details of the emoluments of the Directors of Pearson plc are shown in the report on Directors’ remuneration.

Average number employed	2019		2018		2017
Employee numbers
North America		13,564		14,113		16,295
Core		4,951		5,192		5,291
Growth		3,693		4,521		8,268
Other		526		496		485
Total		22,734		24,322		30,339