Employee information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

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Employee information

5. Employee information

All figures in £ millions	Notes		2022		2021		2020
Employee benefit expense
Wages and salaries (including termination costs)				1,382		1,180		1,152
Social security costs				113		95		96
Share-based payment costs		26		35		28		29
Retirement benefits – defined contribution plans		25		46		37		47
Retirement benefits – defined benefit plans		25		29		25		13
Total				1,605		1,365		1,337

An additional £3m of share-based payment costs (2021: £nil; 2020: £nil) in respect of remuneration for post-acquisition services for recent acquisitions is included in other net gains and losses in the income statement.

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

Average number employed	2022		2021		2020
Employee numbers
UK		3,244		3,395		3,304
Other European countries		809		878		886
US		11,357		11,757		11,432
Canada		522		593		648
Asia Pacific		3,369		2,738		2,812
Other countries		1,137		1,383		2,109
Total		20,438		20,744		21,191