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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.
Published on 2026-05-19

UK Jobless Rate Rises to 5%
The UK unemployment rate rose to 5.0% in the three months to March 2026, above market expectations and February’s 4.9%. 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 to 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 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.
Published on 2026-05-19

UK Jobless Rate Surprisingly Falls
The UK unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in the three months to February 2026, defying expectations of it remaining at the previous period’s 5.2%. It was the lowest rate since the three months to August 2025, primarily driven by a 60,000 decrease in unemployment, particularly among those unemployed for up to six months. At the same time, the economic inactivity rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 21.0%, with the number of inactive individuals rising by 95,000 to 9.116 million, partly due to a rise in students leaving the workforce. Total employment grew by 24,000 to 34.328 million, pushing the employment rate up by 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%, largely due to an increase in full-time employment. Additionally, the number of people holding second jobs decreased to 1.273 million, accounting for 3.7% of all employed individuals.
Published on 2026-04-21

UK Jobless Rate Surprisingly Falls
The UK unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in the three months to February 2026, defying expectations that it would remain at the previous period’s 5.2%. This marks the lowest reading since the three months to August last year. Total unemployment fell by 60 thousand on the quarter to 1.780 million, driven by a decline in the number of people unemployed for up to six months. Compared with the same period last year, unemployment was up by 206 thousand, as all durations recorded increases. Meanwhile, total employment rose by 24 thousand to 34.328 million, pushing the employment rate up by 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%, attributed to an increase in full-time workers. The number of people holding second jobs decreased in the latest quarter to 1.273 million, accounting for 3.7% of those in employment. Lastly, the economic inactivity rate rose by 0.2 percentage points to 21.0%, with the number of inactive individuals increasing by 95 thousand to 9.116 million.
Published on 2026-04-21

UK Jobless Rate Surprisingly Falls
The UK unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in the three months to February 2026, defying expectations that it would remain at the previous period’s 5.2%. This marks the lowest reading since the three months to August last year. Total unemployment fell by 60 thousand on the quarter to 1.780 million, driven by a decline in the number of people unemployed for up to six months. Compared with the same period last year, unemployment was up by 206 thousand, as all durations recorded increases. Meanwhile, total employment rose by 24 thousand to 34.328 million, pushing the employment rate up by 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%, attributed to an increase in full-time workers. The number of people holding second jobs decreased in the latest quarter to 1.273 million, accounting for 3.7% of those in employment. Lastly, the economic inactivity rate rose by 0.2 percentage points to 21.0%, with the number of inactive individuals increasing by 95 thousand to 9.116 million.
Published on 2026-04-21

UK Jobless Rate Surprisingly Falls
The UK unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in the three months to February 2026, defying expectations of it remaining at the previous period’s 5.2%. The decline in unemployment coincided with a rise in economic inactivity, indicating that some Britons are leaving the workforce rather than finding new jobs. Unemployment decreased by 60,000 to 1.780 million, mainly among those out of work for less than six months. Meanwhile, 95,000 more people, including an increasing number of students, exited the labor market, driving total inactivity to 9.116 million and lifting the inactivity rate by 0.2 percentage points to 21.0%. Total employment grew by 24,000 to 34.328 million, pushing the employment rate up by 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%, largely due to an increase in full-time employment. Additionally, the number of people holding second jobs decreased to 1.273 million, accounting for 3.7% of all employed individuals.
Published on 2026-04-21

UK Jobless Rate Steady at 5.2%
The UK unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.2% in the three months to January 2026, below expectations of 5.3% but still at its highest level since the three months to February 2021. Total unemployment rose by 37 thousand quarter-on-quarter to 1.869 million, driven by increases among those unemployed for 6–12 months and over 12 months. Compared with the same period last year, unemployment was up by 323 thousand. Meanwhile, total employment increased by 84 thousand to 34.310 million, pushing the employment rate up by 0.2 percentage points to 75.1%. The number of people holding second jobs remained largely unchanged at 1.302 million, representing 3.8% of those in employment. The economic inactivity rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 20.7%, with the number of inactive individuals decreasing by 99 thousand to 8.999 million.
Published on 2026-03-19

UK Jobless Rate Steady at 5.2%
The UK unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.2% in the three months to January 2026, coming in below expectations of 5.3% but remaining at the highest level since the three months to February 2021. Total unemployment increased by 98 thousand quarter-on-quarter to 1.883 million, driven by rises across all durations, including those unemployed for up to 6 months, between 6 and 12 months, and over 12 months. Compared with the same period last year, unemployment was up by 331 thousand. Meanwhile, total employment rose by 52 thousand to 34.244 million, although the employment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%. The number of people with second jobs declined in the latest quarter to 1.287 million, accounting for 3.8% of those in employment. The economic inactivity rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 20.8%, with the number of inactive individuals decreasing by 38 thousand to 9.042 million.
Published on 2026-03-19

UK Jobless Rate Steady at 5.2%
The UK unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.2% in the three months to January 2026, coming in below expectations of 5.3% but remaining at the highest level since the three months to February 2021. Total unemployment increased by 98 thousand quarter-on-quarter to 1.883 million, driven by rises across all durations, including those unemployed for up to 6 months, between 6 and 12 months, and over 12 months. Meanwhile, total employment rose by 52 thousand to 34.244 million, although the employment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%. The number of people with second jobs declined in the latest quarter to 1.287 million, accounting for 3.8% of those in employment. The economic inactivity rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 20.8%, with the number of inactive individuals decreasing by 38 thousand to 9.042 million.
Published on 2026-03-19

UK Jobless Rate Hits Nearly 5-Year High
The UK unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in the three months to December 2025, slightly above market expectations, which had forecasted it would remain unchanged at 5.1% from the previous period. This marks its highest level since the three months to February 2021. Total unemployment increased by 94 thousand quarter-on-quarter, reaching 1.883 million, driven by gains across short-term, medium-term, and long-term unemployment categories. Meanwhile, total employment rose by 52 thousand to 34.244 million, although the employment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%. The number of people with second jobs decreased marginally to 1.287 million, accounting for 3.8% of those employed. The economic inactivity rate declined by 0.1 percentage points to 20.8%, with the number of inactive individuals falling by 38 thousand to 9.042 million.
Published on 2026-02-17

UK Jobless Rate Hits Nearly 5-Year High
The UK unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in the three months to December 2025, slightly above market expectations, which had forecast it would remain unchanged at 5.1% from the previous period. This marks its highest level since the three months to February 2021. Total unemployment increased by 94 thousand quarter-on-quarter to 1.883 million, driven by rises in the number of people unemployed for up to 6 months, between 6 and 12 months, and over 12 months. Meanwhile, total employment rose by 52 thousand to 34.244 million, although the employment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%. The number of people with second jobs decreased marginally to 1.287 million, accounting for 3.8% of those employed. The economic inactivity rate declined by 0.1 percentage points to 20.8%, with the number of inactive individuals falling by 38 thousand to 9.042 million.
Published on 2026-02-17

K Jobless Rate Steady at Almost 5-Year High
The UK unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in the three months to November 2025, unchanged from the previous period and slightly above market expectations of 5.0%. The rate remained at its highest level since the three months to March 2021, as total unemployment rose by 103,000 from the previous quarter to 1.840 million, driven by increases among those unemployed for up to six months, 6–12 months, and over twelve months, with the rise largely concentrated among men. Meanwhile, total employment increased by 82,000 to 34.303 million, supported mainly by higher employee numbers, while full-time self-employment declined and part-time self-employment grew. The number of people with second jobs rose slightly to 1.294 million, accounting for 3.8% of those employed. The employment rate remained unchanged at 75.1%, while the economic inactivity rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 20.8%.
Published on 2026-01-20

UK Jobless Rate Unchanged at 5.1%
The UK unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in the three months to November 2025, unchanged from the previous period and slightly above market expectations of 5.0%. The reading remained at the highest level since the three months to March 2021, as total unemployment rose by 158,000 from the previous quarter to 1.832 million, driven mainly by increases among those unemployed for up to six months, 6–12 months, and over twelve months. Meanwhile, total employment fell by 16,000 to 34.226 million, marking the second consecutive quarterly decline, largely due to a drop in full-time positions. The number of people with second jobs rose slightly to 1.302 million, accounting for 3.8% of those employed. The employment rate edged down by 0.3 percentage points to 74.9%, while the activity rate remained unchanged at 79.0%.
Published on 2026-01-20

UK Jobless Rate Unchanged at 5.1%
The UK unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in the three months to November 2025, unchanged from the previous period and slightly above market expectations of 5.0%. The rate remained at its highest level since the three months to March 2021, as total unemployment rose by 103,000 from the previous quarter to 1.840 million, driven by increases among those unemployed for up to six months, 6–12 months, and over twelve months, with the rise largely concentrated among men. Meanwhile, total employment increased by 82,000 to 34.303 million, supported mainly by higher employee numbers, while full-time self-employment declined and part-time self-employment grew. The number of people with second jobs rose slightly to 1.294 million, accounting for 3.8% of those employed. The employment rate remained unchanged at 75.1%, while the economic inactivity rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 20.8%.
Published on 2026-01-20

UK Jobless Rate Steady at Almost 5-Year High
The UK unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in the three months to November 2025, unchanged from the previous period and slightly above market expectations of 5.0%. The rate remained at its highest level since the three months to March 2021, as total unemployment rose by 103,000 from the previous quarter to 1.840 million, driven by increases among those unemployed for up to six months, 6–12 months, and over twelve months. Meanwhile, total employment increased by 82,000 to 34.303 million, supported mainly by higher employee numbers, while full-time self-employment declined and part-time self-employment grew. The number of people with second jobs rose slightly to 1.294 million, accounting for 3.8% of those employed. The employment rate remained unchanged at 75.1%, while the economic inactivity rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 20.8%.
Published on 2026-01-20

UK Jobless Rate Steady at Almost 5-Year High
The UK unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in the three months to November 2025, unchanged from the previous period and slightly above market expectations of 5.0%. The rate remained at its highest level since the three months to March 2021, as total unemployment rose by 103,000 from the previous quarter to 1.840 million, driven by increases among those unemployed for up to six months, 6–12 months, and over twelve months. Meanwhile, total employment increased by 82,000 to 34.303 million, supported mainly by higher employee numbers, while full-time self-employment declined and part-time self-employment grew. The number of people with second jobs rose slightly to 1.294 million, accounting for 3.8% of those employed. The employment rate remained unchanged at 75.1%, while the economic inactivity rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 20.8%.
Published on 2026-01-20

UK Jobless Rate Steady at Almost 5-Year High
The UK unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in the three months to November 2025, unchanged from the previous period and slightly above market expectations of 5.0%. The rate remained at its highest level since the three months to March 2021, as total unemployment rose by 103,000 from the previous quarter to 1.840 million, driven by increases among those unemployed for up to six months, 6–12 months, and over twelve months, with the rise largely concentrated among men. Meanwhile, total employment increased by 82,000 to 34.303 million, supported mainly by higher employee numbers, while full-time self-employment declined and part-time self-employment grew. The number of people with second jobs rose slightly to 1.294 million, accounting for 3.8% of those employed. The employment rate remained unchanged at 75.1%, while the economic inactivity rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 20.8%.
Published on 2026-01-20

UK Jobless Rate Climbs to 4½-Year High
The UK unemployment rate increased to 5.1% in the three months to October 2025, in line with market expectations, up from 5.0% in the previous period. This was the highest level since the three months to March 2021, as total unemployment rose by 158,000 from the previous quarter to 1.832 million, driven mainly by increases among those unemployed for up to six months, 6–12 months, and over twelve months. Meanwhile, total employment fell by 16,000 to 34.226 million, marking the second consecutive quarterly decline, largely due to a drop in full-time positions. The number of people with second jobs rose slightly to 1.302 million, accounting for 3.8% of those employed. The employment rate edged down by 0.3 percentage points to 74.9%, while the activity rate remained unchanged at 79.0%.
Published on 2025-12-16

UK Jobless Rate Climbs to 4½-Year High
The UK unemployment rate increased to 5.1% in the three months to October 2025, in line with market expectations, up from 5.0% in the previous period. This was the highest level since the three months to March 2021, as total unemployment rose by 158,000 from the previous quarter to 1.832 million, driven mainly by increases among those unemployed for up to six months, 6–12 months, and over twelve months. Meanwhile, total employment fell by 16,000 to 34.226 million, marking the second consecutive quarterly decline, largely due to a drop in full-time positions. The number of people with second jobs rose slightly to 1.302 million, accounting for 3.8% of those employed. The employment rate edged down by 0.3 percentage points to 74.9%, while the activity rate remained unchanged at 79.0%.
Published on 2025-12-16

UK Unemployment Rises to 4-Year High
The UK unemployment rate increased to 5.0% in the third quarter of 2025, the highest level since the three months to May 2021 and slightly above market expectations of 4.9%. The number of unemployed individuals rose by 117,000 from the previous quarter to 1.789 million, driven mainly by increases among those out of work for up to six months or over twelve months. Meanwhile, total employment fell by 22,000 to 34.192 million, marking the first decline since the first quarter of 2024, largely due to a reduction in full-time positions. The number of people with second jobs rose slightly in the latest quarter to 1.33 million, accounting for 3.9% of those in work. The employment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage point to 75.0%, while the activity rate remained unchanged at 79.0%.
Published on 2025-11-11