Total average weekly earnings in the UK, including bonuses, rose 3.9% year-on-year to GBP 742 in the three months to January 2026, matching market forecasts but easing from a 4.2% increase in the prior period. This marked the slowest growth since the three months to November 2020. Private sector wage growth cooled to 3.5% from 3.8%, remaining at its weakest pace since early 2021, while public sector pay gains also moderated to 5.9%, the lowest since July–September 2025, after a 7.0% rise previously. Adjusted for inflation, total earnings increased 0.5% over the period, unchanged from the prior reading and still the weakest growth since mid-2023. source: Office for National Statistics

Wages in the United Kingdom increased 3.90 percent in January of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Wage Growth in the United Kingdom averaged 3.45 percent from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 8.90 percent in June of 2021 and a record low of -2.90 percent in March of 2009. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Average Weekly Earnings Growth - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United Kingdom Average Weekly Earnings Growth - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Wages in the United Kingdom increased 3.90 percent in January of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Wage Growth in the United Kingdom is expected to be 3.80 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Average Weekly Earnings Growth is projected to trend around 2.20 percent in 2027 and 2.10 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-17 07:00 AM
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr)
Dec 4.2% 4.6% 4.6% 4.4%
2026-03-19 07:00 AM
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr)
Jan 3.9% 4.2% 3.9% 4.2%
2026-04-15 06:00 AM
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr)
Feb 3.9% 4.0%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Weekly Hours 31.80 31.90 Hours Jan 2026
Claimant Count Change 24.70 4.70 Thousand Feb 2026
Employed Persons 34310.00 34244.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Change 84.00 52.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Rate 75.10 75.00 percent Jan 2026
Full Time Employment 25523.00 25499.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Job Vacancies 721.00 730.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 79.30 79.20 percent Jan 2026
Labour Costs 112.70 110.70 points Sep 2025
HMRC Payrolls Change 20.17 6.47 Thousand Feb 2026
Part Time Employment 8787.00 8745.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Population 69.49 69.28 Million Dec 2025
Labour Productivity 99.00 99.60 points Dec 2025
Real Earnings Excluding Bonuses 0.30 0.30 percent Jan 2026
Real Earnings Including Bonuses 0.90 -0.40 percent Jan 2026
Unemployed Persons 1666.90 1662.20 Thousand Jan 2026
Unemployment Rate 5.20 5.20 percent Jan 2026
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr) 3.90 4.20 percent Jan 2026
Average Weekly Wages 742.00 735.00 GBP/Week Jan 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 809.00 809.00 GBP/Week Jan 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 14.50 14.00 percent Jan 2026


United Kingdom Average Weekly Earnings Growth
In the United Kingdom, wage growth refers to changes in average weekly earnings, before tax and other deductions and including bonuses. The series measures the three-month average growth rate.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.90 4.20 8.90 -2.90 2001 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
UK Total Pay Growth Softens to Multi-Year Low
Total average weekly earnings in the UK, including bonuses, rose 3.9% year-on-year to GBP 742 in the three months to January 2026, matching market forecasts but easing from a 4.2% increase in the prior period. This marked the slowest growth since the three months to November 2020. Private sector wage growth cooled to 3.5% from 3.8%, remaining at its weakest pace since early 2021, while public sector pay gains also moderated to 5.9%, the lowest since July–September 2025, after a 7.0% rise previously. Adjusted for inflation, total earnings increased 0.5% over the period, unchanged from the prior reading and still the weakest growth since mid-2023.
2026-03-19
UK Total Pay Growth Below Forecasts
Total average weekly earnings in the UK, including bonuses, increased 4.2% year-on-year to GBP 735 in the three months to December 2025, falling short of market estimates and slowing from a marginally revised 4.6% rise in the previous period. It marked the softest rise since the three months to August 2024, as private sector wage growth eased to 3.5% from 3.8%, marking the weakest pace since early 2021. Also, public sector pay gains moderated to 7.0%, the lowest since July-September 2025, following a 7.8% rise. Adjusted for inflation, total earnings increased 0.5% in the three months to December, slowing from a 0.7% gain in the previous period and pointing to the lowest level since the three months to June 2023.
2026-02-17
UK Total Pay Growth Slightly Above Estimates
Total average weekly earnings in the UK, including bonuses, increased 4.7% year-on-year to GBP 741 in the three months to November 2025, following a marginally revised 4.8% in the previous period but surpassing market expectations of 4.6%. It marked the softest rise since the three months to August 2024, as private sector wage growth eased to 3.9% from 4.1%, marking the weakest pace since early 2021. In contrast, public sector pay gains edged higher to 7.8%, the highest since July–September 2023, following a 7.7% rise. Adjusted for inflation, total earnings increased 0.8% in the three months to November, the same pace as in the prior period.
2026-01-20