Employee information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

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Employee information

5. Employee information

All figures in £ millions	Notes		2021		2020		2019
Employee benefit expense
Wages and salaries (including termination costs)				1,180		1,152		1,258
Social security costs				95		96		100
Share-based payment costs		26		28		29		25
Retirement benefits – defined contribution plans		25		37		47		57
Retirement benefits – defined benefit plans		25		25		13		13
Other post-retirement medical benefits		25		—		—		(1	)
Total				1,365		1,337		1,452

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

Average number employed	2021		2020		2019
Employee numbers
UK		3,395		3,304		3,309
Other European countries		878		886		927
US		11,757		11,432		12,286
Canada		593		648		694
Asia Pacific		2,738		2,812		2,800
Other countries		1,383		2,109		2,227
Total		20,744		21,191		22,243

2020 and 2019 employee numbers have been restated to be on a comparable basis to the current year.