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Our people
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Number and average number of employees [abstract]  
Our people
5. Our people
Our staff numbers averaged 114,732 for the year ended 31 December 2023 against 114,129 in 2022 and 104,808 in 2021. Their geographical distribution was as follows:
202320222021
North America23,562 23,740 21,764 
United Kingdom12,457 12,490 10,995 
Western Continental Europe23,580 22,717 21,514 
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe55,133 55,182 50,535 
114,732 114,129 104,808 
Their reportable segment distribution was as follows:
202320222021
Global Integrated Agencies97,838 97,288 89,701 
Public Relations8,377 8,125 7,121 
Specialist Agencies8,517 8,716 7,986 
114,732 114,129 104,808 
At the end of 2023, staff numbers were 114,173 (2022: 115,473, 2021: 109,382).
Staff costs include:
202320222021
£m£m£m
Wages and salaries5,878.8 5,721.0 4,797.2 
Cash-based incentive plans232.9 292.6 455.2 
Share-based incentive plans (note 22)
140.1 122.0 99.6 
Social security costs715.1 689.4 630.1 
Pension costs (note 23)
213.1 204.8 177.7 
Severance78.2 44.2 41.8 
Other staff costs1
879.4 1,091.8 965.1 
 8,137.6 8,165.8 7,166.7 
Note
1Freelance and temporary staff costs are included in other staff costs.
Compensation for key management personnel includes:
202320222021
£m£m£m
Short-term employee benefits28.1 29.7 28.0 
Pensions and other post-retirement benefits1.3 1.1 0.9 
Share-based payments30.1 29.8 14.6 
59.5 60.6 43.5 
Key management personnel comprises the Board and the Executive Committee