What is the current UK unemployment rate?

UK unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over The rate starts at 5.2%, hits a low of 3.7% at the end of 2019, before climbing to a high of 5.3% in late-2020 during the Covid pandemic. It then falls again to a low of 3.6% in mid-2022, before gradually climbing to 5.1% by August to October 2025.

What is the unemployment rate in the UK today?

Current UK Unemployment Rates

According to the latest ONS labour market overview, the current unemployment rate for all ages in the UK is 5.1% (+0.2%). The current youth unemployment rate for 16-24-year-olds is 15.3% (+0.8%).

Which country is no 1 in unemployment?

While rankings can vary slightly by source and year, Eswatini (Swaziland) and South Africa consistently appear as having the highest overall unemployment rates globally, often around 30-35% or higher, with other nations like Djibouti, Botswana, Gabon, Libya, Yemen, and Namibia also facing severe challenges, especially for youth.
 

What is the highest unemployment rate in UK history?

Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom increased to 5.10 percent in October from 5 percent in September of 2025. Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 6.64 percent from 1971 until 2025, 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.

Why is unemployment so high in the UK?

UK unemployment rate rose to a four-year high

The ONS said younger workers in particular were struggling in the difficult hiring climate. Suren Thiru, the economics director at the ICAEW accountancy body, described the jobs market as “unravelling” in response to a “slumping” economy.

What Is The Rate Of Unemployment In The UK? - United Kingdom Explorers

How bad is the job market right now in the UK?

The number of job vacancies paints a stark picture. For 39 quarters in a row, they have fallen, with just 717,000 open roles by mid-2025. This is well below pre-pandemic levels. According to one survey, only 11% of British businesses plan to hire staff – compared to 28% last year.

What ethnicity is most unemployed in the UK?

For women in England and Wales, the unemployment rate is highest for those from an Arab (15.9%), Gypsy or Irish Traveller (13.1%), or Bangladeshi (13.0%) ethnic background. For men, the unemployment rate is highest for those from an Other Black (16.6%) or White and Black Caribbean (14.1%) ethnic background.

Why will 2026 be the year the UK job market collapses?

Ongoing uncertainty around Labour's Employment Rights Bill and the rising adoption of AI tools are also expected to weigh on the number of available jobs. A survey by HR industry body the CIPD found that one in six employers expect AI to reduce headcount in 2026 as the burden of labour costs grows.

How many people in the UK don't work?

The UK unemployment rate was 5.1%, and 1.83 million people aged 16+ were unemployed. Unemployment levels increased by around 327,000 over the last year, and the unemployment rate has increased from 4.3%. 9.10 million people aged 16 to 64 were economically inactive, and the inactivity rate was 21.0%.

What race has the most unemployment?

In 2022, Black and Native American people had the highest unemployment rates among all racial and ethnic groups reported by the census, while Asian Americans and white people had the lowest rates. Since 1990, Native Americans have consistently had the highest unemployment rates.

In which country is there no unemployment?

Unemployment typically measures individuals in the labor force, meaning those who are not working but are actively seeking work. The countries with the lowest unemployment rates are Qatar, Cambodia, and Niger.

What is China's unemployment rate?

The average surveyed unemployment rate in urban areas was 5.1% throughout 2021, with the rate at the year's end also at 5.1%, while the registered unemployment rate was 3.96%. The total number of migrant workers reached 292.51 million, up by 2.4% compared to 2020.

What age group is most unemployed in the UK?

Approximately 15.3 percent of people aged 16 to 24 were unemployed in the United Kingdom in the third quarter of 2025, the highest of any age group in that month.

What is the unemployment rate in Canada compared to the United States?

the U.S. (no fluff): Latest reported rates (late 2025): United States: ~4.6% unemployment — this is the highest in about four years, with hiring slowing and job losses in some sectors. Canada: ~6.5–6.9% unemployment — Canadian joblessness is notably higher than in the U.S. and remains elevated.

What jobs are most resistant to unemployment?

What industries do well in a recession? 10 recession-proof job fields

• Health care. Medical professionals tend to be essential, and within health care, you can find a job with just about every education and experience level. ...
• Public safety. ...
• Education. ...
• Law. ...
• Finance. ...
• Mental health. ...
• Utilities. ...
• Trade.

What's the average UK salary?

Median gross annual earnings for full-time employees were £39,039 in April 2025, compared with £37,439 in April 2024, which is an increase of 4.3%.

What are UK's best paying jobs?

15 highest paying jobs in the UK

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO) It comes as no surprise that the individuals steering the ship earn the most. ...
• Investment Banker. ...
• High Court Judge. ...
• Consultant. ...
• Anaesthesiologist. ...
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO) ...
• Commercial Pilot. ...
• Actuary.

What percentage of British Muslims don't work?

Within the economically active population (age 16 to 74 years) only 1 in 5 (19.8%) of the Muslim population is in full-time employment, compared to more than 1 in 3 (34.9%) of the overall population (in England and Wales).

What jobs pay $4000 a month in the UK?

Jobs paying around £4,000 a month (£48k/year) in the UK span skilled trades (Electrician, HGV Driver), tech (Software Engineer), management (Operations Manager, Delivery Manager), healthcare (Mental Health Clinician, Practice Nurse), and various senior/specialized roles like Sales Executives, Finance Administrator, or Pilots, often requiring experience, though some roles like specific Delivery Drivers or entry-level tech/admin roles in high-demand areas can reach this with good hours or bonuses, found on job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. 

Is UK quality of life declining?

Despite the now three quarters of decline, living standards are up overall since Labour took office, after rapid growth in their first six months continued the trend of the final few months of the outgoing government.

Where is your money safest during a recession?

Defensive sectors like utilities and consumer staples often hold up better during downturns. Cash options like money markets or CDs offer stability but lower yields.

What is the poorest ethnicity in the UK?

Main facts and figures

According to a parliamentary research report on poverty in the UK, based on the Households below average income statistics, relative low income rates were highest for people in households in the Pakistani or Bangladeshi ethnic group. Rates were lowest in White households.

Who gets the most benefits in the UK?

White is the largest, high-level ethnic group for Universal Credit claimants. 76.2% of those claiming Universal Credit in January 2025 were from the white ethnic group. The Asian/Asian British ethnicity group is the second largest with 10.4% of claimants in January 2025.

Which city has the most job opportunities in the UK?

Top 10 UK Cities to Find Work after Graduation

• Glasgow. Glasgow is one of the most popular UK cities with the highest graduate salaries and great employment opportunities. ...
• Newcastle Upon Tyne. ...
• Cambridge. ...
• Sheffield. ...
• Belfast. ...
• Leicester. ...
• Aberdeen. ...
• Cardiff.