The UK unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9% in the three months to May 2026, unexpectedly defying expectations that it would rise to 5.0%. The number of unemployed people fell by 17 thousand to 1.760 million, driven by a decline in the number of people unemployed for between 6 and 12 months and for more than 12 months. Compared with the same period a year earlier, unemployment increased by 81 thousand, reflecting a rise in the number of people unemployed for between 6 and 12 months and for more than 12 months. Meanwhile, total employment rose by 148 thousand to 34.475 million, exceeding expectations for an increase of 85 thousand and marking the largest increase since July 2025. Employment was also up 340 thousand from a year earlier, driven by increases in both full-time and part-time employment. The number of people holding second jobs increased over the latest quarter to 1.278 million, accounting for 3.7% of all employed individuals. source: Office for National Statistics

Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom remained unchanged at 4.90 percent in May. Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 6.61 percent from 1971 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 11.90 percent in April of 1984 and a record low of 3.40 percent in December of 1973. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United Kingdom Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom remained unchanged at 4.90 percent in May. Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom is expected to be 5.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 5.50 percent in 2027 and 5.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-18 06:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Apr 4.9% 5% 5% 5.0%
2026-07-21 06:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
May 4.9% 4.9% 5.0% 4.9%
2026-08-18 06:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Jun 4.9% 4.9%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Earnings excl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr) 3.40 3.40 percent May 2026
Average Weekly Hours 31.90 31.80 Hours May 2026
Claimant Count Change 6.70 1.30 Thousand Jun 2026
Employed Persons 34475.00 34411.00 Thousand May 2026
Employment Change 148.00 99.00 Thousand May 2026
Employment Rate 75.10 75.10 percent May 2026
Full Time Employment 25695.00 25664.00 Thousand May 2026
Job Vacancies 712.00 710.00 Thousand May 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 79.10 79.00 percent May 2026
HMRC Payrolls Change -3.86 2.83 Thousand Jun 2026
Part Time Employment 8780.00 8748.00 Thousand May 2026
Labour Productivity 99.99 99.10 points Mar 2026
Real Earnings Including Bonuses 0.50 1.70 percent May 2026
Unemployed Persons 1681.90 1680.60 Thousand May 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.90 4.90 percent May 2026
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr) 4.30 4.40 percent May 2026
Average Weekly Wages 749.00 754.00 GBP/Week May 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 812.00 823.00 GBP/Week May 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 14.80 14.50 percent May 2026


United Kingdom Unemployment Rate
In the United Kingdom, the headline unemployment rate is the number of unemployed people (aged 16+) divided by the economically active population (aged 16+).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.90 4.90 11.90 3.40 1971 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
UK Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Holds at 4.9%
The UK unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9% in the three months to May 2026, unexpectedly defying expectations that it would rise to 5.0%. The number of unemployed people fell by 17 thousand to 1.760 million, driven by a decline in the number of people unemployed for between 6 and 12 months and for more than 12 months. Compared with the same period a year earlier, unemployment increased by 81 thousand, reflecting a rise in the number of people unemployed for between 6 and 12 months and for more than 12 months. Meanwhile, total employment rose by 148 thousand to 34.475 million, exceeding expectations for an increase of 85 thousand and marking the largest increase since July 2025. Employment was also up 340 thousand from a year earlier, driven by increases in both full-time and part-time employment. The number of people holding second jobs increased over the latest quarter to 1.278 million, accounting for 3.7% of all employed individuals.
2026-07-21
UK Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Falls to 4.9%
The UK unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in the three months to April 2026, defying expectations that it would remain at 5.0%. The number of unemployed people declined by 105 thousand to 1.764 million, driven by a decrease in those unemployed for up to six months, while the number of those unemployed for between six and 12 months was broadly unchanged and those out of work for more than 12 months fell. Compared with the same period a year earlier, however, unemployment increased by 124 thousand, as the number of people unemployed for between six and 12 months and for over 12 months rose. Meanwhile, total employment increased by 100 thousand to 34.410 million, topping expectations of a 75 thousand rise, and was also up 399 thousand from a year earlier, driven by an increase in full-time workers, partly offset by a decline in part-time employment. The number of people holding second jobs decreased in the latest quarter to 1.277 million, accounting for 3.7% of all employed individuals.
2026-06-18
UK Jobless Rate Rises to 5%
The UK unemployment rate rose to 5.0% in the three months to March 2026, above expectations and February’s 4.9%. The reading marked the first set of figures for the opening month of the US–Iran war, which added pressure to business costs and hiring conditions. Despite the higher rate, the number of unemployed people fell by 77,000 to 1.806 million, mainly driven by declines among those unemployed for up to six months and those out of work for between six and 12 months. Compared with the same period last year, however, unemployment increased by 192,000, with all unemployment durations rising. Meanwhile, total employment increased by 148,000 to 34.392 million, topping expectations of a 107,000 rise, and was up 416,000 on the year, supported by gains in both full-time and part-time work among employees and the self-employed. The number of people holding second jobs declined in the latest quarter to 1.275 million, accounting for 3.7% of all employed individuals.
2026-05-19