UK unemployment
Shows how much slack the jobs market has, which feeds into pay and interest rates.
4.7%
Latest figure:
Next release:
Download CSVUK unemployment
Chart sampled for readability; CSV contains all observations.
%
Source: ONS · As of 6 November 2026
Show the numbers
| Date | UK unemployment (%) |
|---|---|
| Feb 1971 | 3.8 |
| Apr 1971 | 4 |
| Jun 1971 | 4.1 |
| Aug 1971 | 4.2 |
| Oct 1971 | 4.4 |
| Dec 1971 | 4.5 |
| Feb 1972 | 4.5 |
| Apr 1972 | 4.5 |
| Jun 1972 | 4.4 |
| Aug 1972 | 4.3 |
| Oct 1972 | 4.2 |
| Dec 1972 | 4.1 |
| Feb 1973 | 3.9 |
| Apr 1973 | 3.8 |
| Jun 1973 | 3.7 |
| Aug 1973 | 3.6 |
| Oct 1973 | 3.5 |
| Dec 1973 | 3.4 |
| Feb 1974 | 3.6 |
| Apr 1974 | 3.6 |
| Jun 1974 | 3.6 |
| Aug 1974 | 3.7 |
| Oct 1974 | 3.7 |
| Dec 1974 | 3.8 |
| Feb 1975 | 4 |
| Apr 1975 | 4.2 |
| Jun 1975 | 4.5 |
| Aug 1975 | 4.7 |
| Oct 1975 | 4.9 |
| Dec 1975 | 5.1 |
| Feb 1976 | 5.3 |
| Apr 1976 | 5.4 |
| Jun 1976 | 5.4 |
| Aug 1976 | 5.5 |
| Oct 1976 | 5.5 |
| Dec 1976 | 5.5 |
| Feb 1977 | 5.5 |
| Apr 1977 | 5.5 |
| Jun 1977 | 5.6 |
| Aug 1977 | 5.7 |
| Oct 1977 | 5.7 |
| Dec 1977 | 5.7 |
| Feb 1978 | 5.6 |
| Apr 1978 | 5.6 |
| Jun 1978 | 5.5 |
| Aug 1978 | 5.5 |
| Oct 1978 | 5.4 |
| Dec 1978 | 5.3 |
| Feb 1979 | 5.4 |
| Apr 1979 | 5.3 |
| Jun 1979 | 5.3 |
| Aug 1979 | 5.4 |
| Oct 1979 | 5.4 |
| Dec 1979 | 5.6 |
| Feb 1980 | 5.8 |
| Apr 1980 | 6.1 |
| Jun 1980 | 6.5 |
| Aug 1980 | 7.1 |
| Oct 1980 | 7.7 |
| Dec 1980 | 8.3 |
| Feb 1981 | 8.9 |
| Apr 1981 | 9.4 |
| Jun 1981 | 9.7 |
| Aug 1981 | 9.9 |
| Oct 1981 | 10.1 |
| Dec 1981 | 10.3 |
| Feb 1982 | 10.4 |
| Apr 1982 | 10.5 |
| Jun 1982 | 10.6 |
| Aug 1982 | 10.8 |
| Oct 1982 | 11 |
| Dec 1982 | 11.2 |
| Feb 1983 | 11.3 |
| Apr 1983 | 11.3 |
| Jun 1983 | 11.5 |
| Aug 1983 | 11.5 |
| Oct 1983 | 11.6 |
| Dec 1983 | 11.7 |
| Feb 1984 | 11.8 |
| Apr 1984 | 11.9 |
| Jun 1984 | 11.8 |
| Aug 1984 | 11.7 |
| Oct 1984 | 11.7 |
| Dec 1984 | 11.6 |
| Feb 1985 | 11.5 |
| Apr 1985 | 11.4 |
| Jun 1985 | 11.3 |
| Aug 1985 | 11.3 |
| Oct 1985 | 11.3 |
| Dec 1985 | 11.3 |
| Feb 1986 | 11.3 |
| Apr 1986 | 11.3 |
| Jun 1986 | 11.4 |
| Aug 1986 | 11.4 |
| Oct 1986 | 11.3 |
| Dec 1986 | 11.2 |
| Feb 1987 | 11.1 |
| Apr 1987 | 10.9 |
| Jun 1987 | 10.6 |
| Aug 1987 | 10.2 |
| Oct 1987 | 9.9 |
| Dec 1987 | 9.5 |
| Feb 1988 | 9.2 |
| Apr 1988 | 8.9 |
| Jun 1988 | 8.6 |
| Aug 1988 | 8.4 |
| Oct 1988 | 8.2 |
| Dec 1988 | 7.9 |
| Feb 1989 | 7.6 |
| Apr 1989 | 7.3 |
| Jun 1989 | 7.2 |
| Aug 1989 | 7.1 |
| Oct 1989 | 7 |
| Dec 1989 | 7 |
| Feb 1990 | 6.9 |
| Apr 1990 | 6.9 |
| Jun 1990 | 6.9 |
| Aug 1990 | 7.1 |
| Oct 1990 | 7.3 |
| Dec 1990 | 7.6 |
| Feb 1991 | 8 |
| Apr 1991 | 8.5 |
| Jun 1991 | 8.8 |
| Aug 1991 | 9.2 |
| Oct 1991 | 9.4 |
| Dec 1991 | 9.5 |
| Feb 1992 | 9.7 |
| Apr 1992 | 9.8 |
| Jun 1992 | 9.9 |
| Aug 1992 | 9.9 |
| Oct 1992 | 10.2 |
| Dec 1992 | 10.5 |
| Feb 1993 | 10.6 |
| Apr 1993 | 10.5 |
| Jun 1993 | 10.4 |
| Aug 1993 | 10.2 |
| Oct 1993 | 10.2 |
| Dec 1993 | 10.3 |
| Feb 1994 | 9.9 |
| Apr 1994 | 9.7 |
| Jun 1994 | 9.6 |
| Aug 1994 | 9.4 |
| Oct 1994 | 9.1 |
| Dec 1994 | 8.9 |
| Feb 1995 | 8.9 |
| Apr 1995 | 8.8 |
| Jun 1995 | 8.7 |
| Aug 1995 | 8.6 |
| Oct 1995 | 8.6 |
| Dec 1995 | 8.4 |
| Feb 1996 | 8.2 |
| Apr 1996 | 8.3 |
| Jun 1996 | 8.2 |
| Aug 1996 | 8.1 |
| Oct 1996 | 8 |
| Dec 1996 | 7.7 |
| Feb 1997 | 7.3 |
| Apr 1997 | 7.2 |
| Jun 1997 | 7.3 |
| Aug 1997 | 6.8 |
| Oct 1997 | 6.6 |
| Dec 1997 | 6.4 |
| Feb 1998 | 6.4 |
| Apr 1998 | 6.3 |
| Jun 1998 | 6.3 |
| Aug 1998 | 6.2 |
| Oct 1998 | 6.2 |
| Dec 1998 | 6.2 |
| Feb 1999 | 6.2 |
| Apr 1999 | 6.1 |
| Jun 1999 | 6 |
| Aug 1999 | 5.9 |
| Oct 1999 | 5.8 |
| Dec 1999 | 5.9 |
| Feb 2000 | 5.8 |
| Apr 2000 | 5.6 |
| Jun 2000 | 5.3 |
| Aug 2000 | 5.3 |
| Oct 2000 | 5.3 |
| Dec 2000 | 5.2 |
| Feb 2001 | 5.1 |
| Apr 2001 | 4.9 |
| Jun 2001 | 5 |
| Aug 2001 | 5.1 |
| Oct 2001 | 5.1 |
| Dec 2001 | 5.2 |
| Feb 2002 | 5.2 |
| Apr 2002 | 5.2 |
| Jun 2002 | 5.2 |
| Aug 2002 | 5.3 |
| Oct 2002 | 5.2 |
| Dec 2002 | 5 |
| Feb 2003 | 5.2 |
| Apr 2003 | 5 |
| Jun 2003 | 5.1 |
| Aug 2003 | 5 |
| Oct 2003 | 4.9 |
| Dec 2003 | 4.8 |
| Feb 2004 | 4.8 |
| Apr 2004 | 4.8 |
| Jun 2004 | 4.8 |
| Aug 2004 | 4.7 |
| Oct 2004 | 4.7 |
| Dec 2004 | 4.7 |
| Feb 2005 | 4.7 |
| Apr 2005 | 4.8 |
| Jun 2005 | 4.7 |
| Aug 2005 | 4.7 |
| Oct 2005 | 5.1 |
| Dec 2005 | 5.1 |
| Feb 2006 | 5.2 |
| Apr 2006 | 5.4 |
| Jun 2006 | 5.5 |
| Aug 2006 | 5.5 |
| Oct 2006 | 5.4 |
| Dec 2006 | 5.5 |
| Feb 2007 | 5.5 |
| Apr 2007 | 5.4 |
| Jun 2007 | 5.3 |
| Aug 2007 | 5.3 |
| Oct 2007 | 5.2 |
| Dec 2007 | 5.2 |
| Feb 2008 | 5.2 |
| Apr 2008 | 5.2 |
| Jun 2008 | 5.5 |
| Aug 2008 | 5.9 |
| Oct 2008 | 6.2 |
| Dec 2008 | 6.5 |
| Feb 2009 | 7.1 |
| Apr 2009 | 7.6 |
| Jun 2009 | 7.9 |
| Aug 2009 | 7.8 |
| Oct 2009 | 7.8 |
| Dec 2009 | 7.7 |
| Feb 2010 | 8 |
| Apr 2010 | 7.9 |
| Jun 2010 | 7.8 |
| Aug 2010 | 7.8 |
| Oct 2010 | 7.9 |
| Dec 2010 | 7.9 |
| Feb 2011 | 7.8 |
| Apr 2011 | 7.8 |
| Jun 2011 | 8 |
| Aug 2011 | 8.3 |
| Oct 2011 | 8.5 |
| Dec 2011 | 8.3 |
| Feb 2012 | 8.2 |
| Apr 2012 | 8.1 |
| Jun 2012 | 8 |
| Aug 2012 | 7.8 |
| Oct 2012 | 7.8 |
| Dec 2012 | 7.8 |
| Feb 2013 | 7.8 |
| Apr 2013 | 7.7 |
| Jun 2013 | 7.7 |
| Aug 2013 | 7.6 |
| Oct 2013 | 7.2 |
| Dec 2013 | 7.1 |
| Feb 2014 | 6.7 |
| Apr 2014 | 6.4 |
| Jun 2014 | 6.1 |
| Aug 2014 | 6 |
| Oct 2014 | 5.9 |
| Dec 2014 | 5.6 |
| Feb 2015 | 5.5 |
| Apr 2015 | 5.6 |
| Jun 2015 | 5.5 |
| Aug 2015 | 5.3 |
| Oct 2015 | 5.1 |
| Dec 2015 | 5.1 |
| Feb 2016 | 5.1 |
| Apr 2016 | 4.9 |
| Jun 2016 | 4.9 |
| Aug 2016 | 4.8 |
| Oct 2016 | 4.8 |
| Dec 2016 | 4.7 |
| Feb 2017 | 4.6 |
| Apr 2017 | 4.4 |
| Jun 2017 | 4.3 |
| Aug 2017 | 4.3 |
| Oct 2017 | 4.3 |
| Dec 2017 | 4.3 |
| Feb 2018 | 4.2 |
| Apr 2018 | 4.2 |
| Jun 2018 | 4 |
| Aug 2018 | 4.1 |
| Oct 2018 | 4 |
| Dec 2018 | 3.9 |
| Feb 2019 | 3.8 |
| Apr 2019 | 3.8 |
| Jun 2019 | 3.9 |
| Aug 2019 | 3.9 |
| Oct 2019 | 3.8 |
| Dec 2019 | 3.9 |
| Feb 2020 | 4.1 |
| Apr 2020 | 4.1 |
| Jun 2020 | 4.4 |
| Aug 2020 | 5 |
| Oct 2020 | 5.2 |
| Dec 2020 | 5.2 |
| Feb 2021 | 4.9 |
| Apr 2021 | 4.8 |
| Jun 2021 | 4.6 |
| Aug 2021 | 4.4 |
| Oct 2021 | 4.2 |
| Dec 2021 | 4.1 |
| Feb 2022 | 3.8 |
| Apr 2022 | 3.7 |
| Jun 2022 | 3.6 |
| Aug 2022 | 3.7 |
| Oct 2022 | 3.9 |
| Dec 2022 | 3.9 |
| Feb 2023 | 4 |
| Apr 2023 | 4 |
| Jun 2023 | 4.4 |
| Aug 2023 | 4.1 |
| Oct 2023 | 4 |
| Dec 2023 | 4.1 |
| Feb 2024 | 4.3 |
| Apr 2024 | 4.4 |
| Jun 2024 | 4.2 |
| Aug 2024 | 4.3 |
| Oct 2024 | 4.4 |
| Dec 2024 | 4.4 |
| Feb 2025 | 4.6 |
| Apr 2025 | 4.7 |
| Jun 2025 | 4.7 |
| Aug 2025 | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | 5.1 |
| Dec 2025 | 5.2 |
| Feb 2026 | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | 4.9 |
| Jun 2026 | 4.9 |
| Jul 2026 | 4.7 |
UK unemployment
Chart sampled for readability; CSV contains all observations.
%
Source: ONS · As of 6 November 2026
Show the numbers
| Date | UK unemployment (%) |
|---|---|
| Jul 2024 | 4.1 |
| Aug 2024 | 4.3 |
| Sep 2024 | 4.2 |
| Oct 2024 | 4.4 |
| Nov 2024 | 4.4 |
| Dec 2024 | 4.4 |
| Jan 2025 | 4.5 |
| Feb 2025 | 4.6 |
| Mar 2025 | 4.6 |
| Apr 2025 | 4.7 |
| May 2025 | 4.7 |
| Jun 2025 | 4.7 |
| Jul 2025 | 4.8 |
| Aug 2025 | 5 |
| Sep 2025 | 5.1 |
| Oct 2025 | 5.1 |
| Nov 2025 | 5.2 |
| Dec 2025 | 5.2 |
| Jan 2026 | 4.9 |
| Feb 2026 | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | 4.9 |
| Apr 2026 | 4.9 |
| May 2026 | 4.9 |
| Jun 2026 | 4.9 |
| Jul 2026 | 4.7 |
UK unemployment
Chart sampled for readability; CSV contains all observations.
%
Source: ONS · As of 6 November 2026
Show the numbers
| Date | UK unemployment (%) |
|---|---|
| Jul 2016 | 5 |
| Aug 2016 | 4.8 |
| Sep 2016 | 4.8 |
| Oct 2016 | 4.8 |
| Nov 2016 | 4.7 |
| Dec 2016 | 4.7 |
| Jan 2017 | 4.6 |
| Feb 2017 | 4.6 |
| Mar 2017 | 4.5 |
| Apr 2017 | 4.4 |
| May 2017 | 4.4 |
| Jun 2017 | 4.3 |
| Jul 2017 | 4.3 |
| Aug 2017 | 4.3 |
| Sep 2017 | 4.2 |
| Oct 2017 | 4.3 |
| Nov 2017 | 4.4 |
| Dec 2017 | 4.3 |
| Jan 2018 | 4.2 |
| Feb 2018 | 4.2 |
| Mar 2018 | 4.2 |
| Apr 2018 | 4.2 |
| May 2018 | 4 |
| Jun 2018 | 4 |
| Jul 2018 | 4 |
| Aug 2018 | 4.1 |
| Sep 2018 | 4.1 |
| Oct 2018 | 4 |
| Nov 2018 | 4 |
| Dec 2018 | 3.9 |
| Jan 2019 | 4 |
| Feb 2019 | 3.8 |
| Mar 2019 | 3.8 |
| Apr 2019 | 3.8 |
| May 2019 | 3.9 |
| Jun 2019 | 3.9 |
| Jul 2019 | 3.9 |
| Aug 2019 | 3.9 |
| Sep 2019 | 3.8 |
| Oct 2019 | 3.8 |
| Nov 2019 | 3.7 |
| Dec 2019 | 3.9 |
| Jan 2020 | 3.9 |
| Feb 2020 | 4.1 |
| Mar 2020 | 4.1 |
| Apr 2020 | 4.1 |
| May 2020 | 4.1 |
| Jun 2020 | 4.4 |
| Jul 2020 | 4.6 |
| Aug 2020 | 5 |
| Sep 2020 | 5.2 |
| Oct 2020 | 5.2 |
| Nov 2020 | 5.3 |
| Dec 2020 | 5.2 |
| Jan 2021 | 5 |
| Feb 2021 | 4.9 |
| Mar 2021 | 4.8 |
| Apr 2021 | 4.8 |
| May 2021 | 4.7 |
| Jun 2021 | 4.6 |
| Jul 2021 | 4.5 |
| Aug 2021 | 4.4 |
| Sep 2021 | 4.3 |
| Oct 2021 | 4.2 |
| Nov 2021 | 4.2 |
| Dec 2021 | 4.1 |
| Jan 2022 | 3.9 |
| Feb 2022 | 3.8 |
| Mar 2022 | 3.8 |
| Apr 2022 | 3.7 |
| May 2022 | 3.8 |
| Jun 2022 | 3.6 |
| Jul 2022 | 3.6 |
| Aug 2022 | 3.7 |
| Sep 2022 | 3.8 |
| Oct 2022 | 3.9 |
| Nov 2022 | 3.9 |
| Dec 2022 | 3.9 |
| Jan 2023 | 4 |
| Feb 2023 | 4 |
| Mar 2023 | 3.9 |
| Apr 2023 | 4 |
| May 2023 | 4.2 |
| Jun 2023 | 4.4 |
| Jul 2023 | 4.3 |
| Aug 2023 | 4.1 |
| Sep 2023 | 4 |
| Oct 2023 | 4 |
| Nov 2023 | 3.9 |
| Dec 2023 | 4.1 |
| Jan 2024 | 4.2 |
| Feb 2024 | 4.3 |
| Mar 2024 | 4.4 |
| Apr 2024 | 4.4 |
| May 2024 | 4.2 |
| Jun 2024 | 4.2 |
| Jul 2024 | 4.1 |
| Aug 2024 | 4.3 |
| Sep 2024 | 4.2 |
| Oct 2024 | 4.4 |
| Nov 2024 | 4.4 |
| Dec 2024 | 4.4 |
| Jan 2025 | 4.5 |
| Feb 2025 | 4.6 |
| Mar 2025 | 4.6 |
| Apr 2025 | 4.7 |
| May 2025 | 4.7 |
| Jun 2025 | 4.7 |
| Jul 2025 | 4.8 |
| Aug 2025 | 5 |
| Sep 2025 | 5.1 |
| Oct 2025 | 5.1 |
| Nov 2025 | 5.2 |
| Dec 2025 | 5.2 |
| Jan 2026 | 4.9 |
| Feb 2026 | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | 4.9 |
| Apr 2026 | 4.9 |
| May 2026 | 4.9 |
| Jun 2026 | 4.9 |
| Jul 2026 | 4.7 |
Recent observations
| Date | % |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 4.7 |
| June 2026 | 4.9 |
| May 2026 | 4.9 |
| April 2026 | 4.9 |
| March 2026 | 4.9 |
| February 2026 | 5 |
| January 2026 | 4.9 |
| December 2025 | 5.2 |
| November 2025 | 5.2 |
| October 2025 | 5.1 |
| September 2025 | 5.1 |
| August 2025 | 5 |
| July 2025 | 4.8 |
| June 2025 | 4.7 |
| May 2025 | 4.7 |
| April 2025 | 4.7 |
| March 2025 | 4.6 |
| February 2025 | 4.6 |
| January 2025 | 4.5 |
| December 2024 | 4.4 |
| November 2024 | 4.4 |
| October 2024 | 4.4 |
| September 2024 | 4.2 |
| August 2024 | 4.3 |
Source: ONS · Attribution and methods