Our people (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Our staff numbers, including the Kantar disposal group, averaged 132,823 for the year ended 31 December 2019 against 133,903 in 2018 and 134,428 in 2017. Their geographical distribution was as follows:


	2019		2018		2017
North America		25,008		25,990		27,399
United Kingdom		14,192		14,331		14,197
Western Continental Europe		26,973		26,825		25,700
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		66,650		66,757		67,132
		132,823		133,903		134,428

Reportable Segment Distribution of Staff

Their reportable segment distribution was as follows:


	2019		2018		2017
Global Integrated Agencies		82,295		83,015		81,537
Data Investment Management		26,325		27,813		28,014
Public Relations		6,890		6,891		6,899
Specialist Agencies		17,313		16,184		17,978
		132,823		133,903		134,428

Staff costs

At the end of 2019, staff numbers were 106,786 (2018: 134,281, 2017: 134,413).

Staff costs include:


Continuing operations	2019 £m		2018 1 £m		2017 1 £m
Wages and salaries		4,946.2		4,828.0		4,937.5
Cash-based incentive plans		227.6		233.0		196.5
Share-based incentive plans		66.0		78.3		98.3
Social security costs		591.7		579.0		580.8
Pension costs		169.7		160.9		161.3
Severance		42.6		30.0		36.8
Other staff costs 2		1,046.8		1,041.4		1,053.9
		7,090.6		6,950.6		7,065.1

Notes

Prior year figures have been

re-presented

in accordance with IFRS 5

Non-

urrent

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, as described in the accounting policies.

Freelance and temporary staff costs are included in other staff costs.