UK Unemployment Rate — 4.9% in 2026
UK unemployment rate is 4.9% in 2026 — approximately 1.78 million people out of work. Live ONS Labour Market Statistics counter. UK unemployment rate history, chart and regional breakdown.
The UK unemployment rate stands at 4.9% in 2026, equivalent to approximately 1.5 million jobseekers, according to the ONS Labour Force Survey.
Youth unemployment (ages 16–24) is significantly higher at approximately 13%, affecting around 500,000 young people as of 2025/26.
Economic inactivity — people not working and not seeking work — stands at approximately 21% of working-age adults, with 2.8 million out of work due to long-term illness.
About These Statistics
The UK unemployment rate stands at approximately 4.9% according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Labour Market Statistics — equivalent to approximately 1.78 million people aged 16 and over who are without work and actively seeking employment. The unemployment rate is measured using the International Labour Organization (ILO) definition, which counts people who are out of work, available to start work within two weeks, and have actively sought work in the past four weeks.
UK unemployment fell dramatically following the COVID-19 pandemic, from a peak of approximately 5.2% in late 2020 to historic lows of around 3.5% in 2022/23 — the lowest rate since the 1970s. Since then it has edged upward as the economy has cooled, but remains well below the long-term average of approximately 6-7%.
Youth unemployment — those aged 16-24 — is significantly higher than the overall rate at approximately 13%, affecting approximately 500,000 young people. Long-term unemployment (those out of work for over 12 months) affects approximately 250,000 people and is associated with significantly worse health and wellbeing outcomes.
The economic inactivity rate — those not in work and not actively seeking work — is a growing concern. Approximately 21% of working-age adults are economically inactive, with long-term sickness now the most common reason. The number of people out of work due to illness has risen to a record 2.8 million, representing a significant shift in the labour market.
Regional variation in unemployment is substantial. London and the South East tend to have lower unemployment rates than the North East and parts of the Midlands. The government's Levelling Up agenda aimed to address these regional disparities, though progress has been limited.
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Find a Freelancer on Fiverr →UK Unemployment Rate by Year — Historical Data
The UK unemployment rate has fluctuated significantly over the decades, peaking at nearly 12% in the mid-1980s and reaching a historic low of 3.5% in 2022/23. Data from ONS Labour Market Statistics.
| Year | Rate (%) | Unemployed (approx.) | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 11.9% | 3.3 million | Post-recession peak |
| 1990 | 6.9% | 1.9 million | Before early 1990s recession |
| 1993 | 10.3% | 2.9 million | Post Black Wednesday |
| 2000 | 5.4% | 1.6 million | Dotcom boom era |
| 2005 | 4.8% | 1.4 million | Pre-financial crisis low |
| 2010 | 8.1% | 2.5 million | Financial crisis aftermath |
| 2015 | 5.4% | 1.8 million | Recovery period |
| 2019 | 3.8% | 1.3 million | Pre-pandemic low |
| 2020 | 5.1% | 1.7 million | COVID-19 pandemic peak |
| 2022 | 3.5% | 1.2 million | Historic 50-year low |
| 2023 | 4.0% | 1.4 million | Gradual increase |
| 2024 | 4.9% | 1.5 million | Economy cooling |
| 2026 | 4.9% | ~1.78 million | Current figure |
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on official UK government data
What is the UK unemployment rate in 2026?
The UK unemployment rate stands at approximately 4.9% according to ONS Labour Market Statistics (Dec 2025–Feb 2026) — equivalent to approximately 1.78 million people. This is measured using the ILO definition which counts those without work who are actively seeking employment. The rate has risen from historic lows of 3.5% seen in 2022/23.
How many people are unemployed in the UK?
Approximately 1.78 million people are unemployed in the UK according to ONS Labour Market Statistics (Dec 2025–Feb 2026). Youth unemployment (aged 16-24) affects approximately 500,000 young people at a rate of approximately 14%. Long-term unemployment — those out of work for over 12 months — affects approximately 250,000 people.
What is the difference between unemployment and economic inactivity?
Unemployed people are out of work but actively seeking employment. Economically inactive people are out of work but not seeking work — they may be students, carers, retired or long-term sick. Approximately 21% of working-age adults in the UK are economically inactive, with long-term sickness now the most common reason at approximately 2.8 million people — a record high.
UK Unemployment Rate by Region — 2026
Regional unemployment rates vary significantly from 3.4% in the South East to 5.9% in the North East. Source: ONS Labour Market Statistics.
| Region | Unemployment Rate | vs UK Average |
|---|---|---|
| South East | 3.4% | −0.8pp |
| East of England | 3.6% | −0.6pp |
| South West | 3.7% | −0.5pp |
| London | 4.8% | +0.6pp |
| East Midlands | 3.9% | −0.3pp |
| West Midlands | 4.5% | +0.3pp |
| Yorkshire & Humber | 4.4% | +0.2pp |
| North West | 4.6% | +0.4pp |
| Wales | 4.8% | +0.6pp |
| Scotland | 4.9% | — |
| North East | 5.9% | +1.7pp |
| UK Average | 4.9% | — |
Source: ONS Labour Market Statistics 2025/26 · ILO definition