Unemployment

Unemployment

October to December, 2018

Updated February 19th, 2019

UK unemployment for the period between July and September, and October to December, 2018 stood at 1.36 million, 14,000 fewer than the previous 3-month period, and 100,000 fewer that 12 months ago. (According to figures released by the ONS.)

The unemployment rate over the period was unchanged at 4.0% – but lower than a year ago, when it stood at 4.3%.

Over the same period, the employment rate stood at a record 75.8% – up from 75.2% a year ago, with 32.6 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) was estimated at 20.9% – the joint lowest on record.

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, increased in nominal terms by 3.4% excluding bonuses, and in real terms by 1.2% excluding bonuses and by 1.3% including bonuses.

See full labour market report.

Recent unemployment

Unemployment between 1980 and 2019

See employment figures

Previous figures

September to November, 2018

Updated January 22nd, 2019

UK unemployment for the period between June to August, and September to November, 2018 stood at 1.37 million, which remained largely unchanged. Over the 12-months to November 2018 unemployment fell by 68,000.(According to figures released by the ONS.)

The unemployment rate stood at 4.0%, unchanged over the period, but lower than a year ago, when it stood at 4.3%.

Over the same period, the employment rate stood at a record 75.8% – up from 75.3% a year ago, with 32.53 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) was estimated at 21.0%, down from a year ago, when it stood at 21.2%, and the joint lowest on record.

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, increased in nominal terms by 3.3% excluding bonuses, and in real terms by 1.1% excluding bonuses and by 1.2% including bonuses.

May to July, 2018

Updated December 11th, 2018

UK unemployment for the period May to July, and August to October 2018 stood at 1.38 million, up 20,000 compared with the previous period, but 49,000 fewer over the year. (According to figures released by the ONS.)

The unemployment rate stood at 4.1%, unchanged over the period, but lower than a year ago, when it stood at 4.3%.

Over the same period, the employment rate stood at a record 75.7% – up from 75.1% a year ago, with 32.48 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) was estimated at 21.0%, down from a year ago, when it stood at 21.6%, and the joint lowest on record.

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, increased in nominal terms by 3.3%, and in real terms by 1.0% excluding bonuses and by 1.1% including bonuses.

April to June, 2018

Updated August 14th, 2018

UK unemployment for the period April to June, 2018 stood at 1.36 million, down by 65,000 in the current period, and by 124,000 over the year. (According to figures released by the ONS.)

The rate of unemployment fell at 4.03% – the joint lowest rate for 43 years.

Over the same period, the employment rate stood at 75.6% (unchanged over the period, but higher over the year – up from 75.1%), with 32.39 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) rose slightly to 21.2%, up from  21.0% (and was down over the year, from 21.3%).

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, increased in nominal terms by 2.7%, and in real terms by 0.4% and increased by 0.1% when bonuses are added.

Updated July 17th, 2018

UK unemployment for the period March to May 2018 stood at 1.41 million, down by 12,000 in the current period, and by 84,000 over the year. (According to figures released by the ONS.)

The rate of unemployment remained at 4.2% (but was down from 4.5% a year ago) – the joint lowest rate since 1975.

Over the same period, the employment rate stood at 75.7% (up from 74.9% over the year), with 32.40 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) remained at 21.0% (and was down over the year, from 21.5%) – the joint lowest since 1971 when records began.

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, increased in nominal terms by 2.7%, and in real terms by 0.4% and increased by 0.2% when bonuses are added.

February to Aril 2018

Updated June 12th, 2018

UK unemployment for the period February to Aril 2018 stood at 1.42 million, down by 38,000 in the current period, and by 115,000 over the year. (According to figures released by the ONS.)

The rate of unemployment remained at 4.2% (but was down from 4.6% a year ago) – the joint lowest rate since 1975.

Over the same period, the employment rate remained at 75.6% (up from 74.8% over the year), with 32.39 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) remained at 21.0% (and was down over the year, from 21.5%) – the joint lowest since 1971 when records began.

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, increased in nominal terms by 2.8%, and in real terms by 0.4% and increased by 0.1% when bonuses are added.

January to March 2018

Updated May 15th, 2018

UK unemployment for the period between January and March 2018 fell by 46,000, and by 116,000 over the year. (According to figures released by the ONS.)

The rate of unemployment stood at 4.2% (down from 4.6% a year ago) – the lowest rate since 1975.

Over the same period, the employment rate rose to 75.6% (up from 74.8% over the year), with 32.34 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) fell to 21.0% – the lowest since 1971 when records began.

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, increased in nominal terms by 2.9%, and in real terms by 0.4% and remained constant when bonuses are added.

December 2017 to February 2018

Updated April 18th, 2018

UK unemployment for the period between September to November 2017 and December 2017 to February 2018 fell by 16,000, and was 136,000 lower for the year. (According to figures released by the ONS.)

The rate of unemployment fell to 4.2% (from 4.3%) – the lowest rate since 1975.

Over the same period, the employment rate rose to 75.4% (up from 74.6% over the year), with 32.26 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) remained at 21.2%, down from 21.6% over the year.

Regular and total pay increased in nominal terms by 2.8%, while average earnings in real terms, excluding bonuses, increased by 0.2% and remained constant when bonuses are added.

October 2017 to January 2018

Updated March 21st 2018

UK unemployment for the period between August to October 2017 and November to January 2018 rose by 24,000, but was 127,000 fewer over the year. (According to figures released by the ONS.)

The rate of unemployment was 4.3%, which is still the lowest rate since 1975.

Over the same period, the employment rate rose to 75.3% (up from 74.6 over the year), with 32.25 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) remained at 21.2%, down from 21.6% over the year.

Regular and total pay increased in nominal terms by 2.6% and 2.8% respectively, while average earnings in real terms, excluding bonuses, fell by 0.2% and remained constant when bonuses are added.

September to November 2017

Updated January 23rd 2018

UK unemployment for the period September to November 2017 fell by 160,000 over the year, though remained little changed since the previous period (June to August, 2017). Unemployment is now steady at 1.44 million, at a rate of 4.3%. This is the lowest unemployment rate since 1975.

Over the same period, the employment rate rose to 75.3% (up from 75.0%), with 32.21 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) fell to 21.2%, down from 21.6%.

While regular and total pay increased in nominal terms by 2.5% average earnings in real terms, including bonuses, fell by 0.2%.

July to September 2017

Updated November 15th, 2017

UK unemployment between the period between April to June and July to September, 2017 fell by 59,000 and by 182,000 over the year. Unemployment is now steady at 1.42 million, at a rate of 4.3%. This is the lowest unemployment rate since 1975.

Over the same period, the employment rate fell to 75.0%, down slightly from the previous quarter, with 32.06 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) rose to 21.6%, up from 21.3%.

While regular and total pay increased in nominal terms by 2.2% average earnings in real terms, including bonuses, fell by 0.5%.

June to August 2017

Updated October 18th, 2017

UK unemployment between the period between March to May and June to August July 2017 fell by 52,000 and by 215,000 over the year. Unemployment is now 1.44 million, at a rate of 4.3%. This is the lowest unemployment rate since 1975.

Over the same period, the employment rate rose to 75.1%, the highest on record, with 32.1 million employed.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) fell to 21.4%.

While regular and total pay increased in nominal terms by 2.2% average earnings in real terms, including bonuses, fell by 0.3%.

May to July 2017

Updated September 14th, 2017

UK unemployment over the period between February to April and May to July 2017 fell by 75,000 and by 175,000 over the year. Unemployment is now 1.46 million, at a rate of 4.3%. This is the lowest unemployment rate since 1975.

Over the same period, the employment rate rose to 75.3%, the highest on record.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) fell to 21.2%, the lowest since 1971.

While regular and total pay increased in nominal terms (by 2.1%) average earnings in real terms, including bonuses, fell by 0.4%.

April to June 2017

Unemployment over the period April to June 2017 fell by 57,000 from the previous quarter, and by 157,000 over the year. Unemployment is now 1.48 million, at a rate of 4.4%.

There were 818,000 unemployed men, 34,000 fewer than for November to January, 2017, while there were 666,000 unemployed women, a drop of 23,000.

Over the same period, the employment rate rose to 75.1%, the highest on record.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) fell to 21.3%, the lowest since 1971.

Average earnings in real terms, including bonuses, fell by 0.5%.

February to April 2017

Unemployment over the period February to April 2017 fell by 50,000 from the previous quarter, and by 145,000 over the year. Unemployment is now 1.53 million, at a rate of 4.6%.

There were 840,000 unemployed men, 26,000 fewer than for November to January, 2017, while there were 690,000 unemployed women, a drop of 24,000.

Over the same period, the employment rate rose to 74.8%, the highest on record.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) fell by 0.3%, to 21.5%.

Average earnings in real terms, including bonuses, fell by 0.4%.

January to March 2017

Unemployment over the period January to March 2017 fell by 53,000 from the previous quarter, and by 152,000 over the year. Unemployment is now 1.54 million, at a rate of 4.6%.

There were 852,000 unemployed men, 23,000 fewer than for October to December, 2016, while there were 688,000 unemployed women, a drop of 86,000.

Over the same period, the employment rate rose to 74.8%, the highest on record.

The inactivity rate (the proportion of 16 to 64 year olds who were economically inactive) fell by 0.3%, to 21.5%.

Average earnings in nominal terms, including bonuses, increased in the period by 2.4%, and by just 0.1% in real (inflation adjusted) terms.

December 2016 to February 2017

Unemployment over the period December to February fell by 45,000 from the previous quarter, and by 141,000 over the year. Unemployment is now 1.56 million, at a rate of 4.7%.

There were 853,000 unemployed men, 30,000 fewer than for September to November, while there were 706,000 unemployed women, a drop of 15,000.

Average earnings in nominal terms, including bonuses, increased in the period by 2.3%

September to November 2016

Unemployment over the period September to November fell by 52,000 from the previous quarter, and by 81,000 over the year. Unemployment is now 1.60 million, at a rate of 4.8%.

There were 883,000 unemployed men, 8,000 fewer than for June to August, while there were 721,000 unemployed women, a drop of 44,000.

Average earnings in nominal terms, including bonuses, increased in the period by 2.8%

See full labour market report.

July to September 2016

Unemployment over the period July to September 2016, fell by 37,000 from the previous quarter, and by 461,000 over the year. Unemployment is now 1.6 million, at a rate of 4.8%.

There were 876,000 unemployed men, 15,000 fewer than for April to June, while there were 728,000 unemployed women, a drop of 22,000.

Average earnings in nominal terms, including bonuses, increased in the period by 2.3%

See full labour market report.

June to August 2016

Unemployment over the period June to August 2016, rose by 10,000, to reach 1.66 million.

There were 891,000 unemployed men, 12,000 fewer than for March to May 2016, while there were 765,000 unemployed women, 23,000 more than for March to May 2016.

See full labour market report.

May to July 2016

The unemployment rate for the period May to July 2016, fell from 4.91% to 4.88% compared with the previous period – February to April – and was lower by 0.6% compared with the same period last year (at 5.5%) This is the lowest rate since September 2005.

The total number of unemployed now stands at 1.63 million, of which 901,000 were men and 731,000 women.

The inactivity rate, which is the % of the active 16 to 64 year olds who are inactive, fell to 21.5%, while the employment rate stood at 74.5%.

See full labour market report.

April to June

The unemployment rate for the period April to June 2016, fell from 4.93% to 4.91% compared with the previous period – March to May – and was lower by 0.7% compared with the same period last year (at 5.6%) This is the lowest unemployment rate for nearly a decade. The total number of unemployed now stands at 1.64 million, of which 890,000 were men and 750,000 women. See full labour market report.

March to May

The unemployment rate for the period March to May, 2016, fell by 0.1% compared with the previous period, from 5.0% to 4.9%, and by 0.7% compared with the same period last year. This is the lowest unemployment rate for nearly a decade. The total number of unemployed now stands at 1.65 million, of which 0.90m were men and 0.74m women. See full labour market report – ONS.

Any effect on the labour market from Brexit is unlikely to feed through for several months.

November 2015 to January 2016

Data for the 3 months to January 2016, released by the ONS, indicate there were 1.68 million unemployed people, some 28,000 fewer than for the previous 3-month period, and 171,000 fewer over the year.

The unemployment rate was 5.1%, down from 5.7% a year ago.  The employment rate was 74.1%. There were 31.42 million people in work, 116,000 more than for August to October 2015 and 478,000 more than for a year earlier.

There were 22.94 million people working full-time, 302,000 more than for a year earlier, and 8.48 million people working part-time, 177,000 more than for a year earlier

September to November 2015

The unemployment rate for the UK fell to 5.1% in the 3 months from September to November 2015, according to official figures released today by the ONS. This is the lowest rate of unemployment for a decade.

There were 1.68 million unemployed people – a fall of 99,000 on the previous quarter, and 239,000 over the year. There were 919,000 unemployed men, down 149,000 over the year, and 756,000 unemployed women, down 89,000 on the year.

Employment stood at 74.0%, which is the highest rate since comparable records began in 1971.

August to October 2015

The unemployment rate for the UK fell to 5.2% in the 3 months from August to October, according to official figures released today by the ONS. This is the lowest rate of unemployment for nearly a decade.

There were 1.71 million unemployed people – a fall of 110,000 on the previous quarter, and 244,000 over the year. There were 939,000 unemployed men, down 153,000 over the year, and 774,000 unemployed women, down 91,000 on the year.

Employment stood at 73.9%, which is the highest rate since comparable records began in 1971.

July to September 2015

The trend towards an even tighter labour market continues according to figures released by the ONS this week (13/11/15). While employment hit record levels, rising to 73.7% – the highest since records began in 1971 – unemployment fell to 5.3%, down to the level immediately preceding the onset of the ‘Great Recession‘ in 2008.

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June to August 2015

The unemployment rate for the UK fell to 5.4% in the period June to August 2015, lower than for March to May 2015 (5.6%) and for a year earlier (6.0%). This is the lowest rate of unemployment in the UK since May 2008.

There were 31.12 million people in work, some 140,000 more than for March to May 2015 and 359,000 more than for a year earlier. The employment rate was 73.6%, the highest since records began in 1971.

October to December 2014

Unemployment for the 3-month period from October to December 2014 fell 5.7% (1.86 million people) according to figures released by the ONS, a fall of 97,000 (from July to September).

The employment rate – the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 in work – was 73.2%, higher than for July to September 2014 (73.0%) and for a year earlier (72.0%) – it last reached this level in December 2004.

In terms of labour market inactivity, the rate for 16 to 64 year was unchanged at 22.3%.