Unemployment in the UK: Economic indicators

Economic indicators are quick-read summaries of the latest data focusing on different aspects of the UK economy. The full suite of indicators can be found on the main Economic Indicators page.

In February 2024, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reintroduced Labour Force Survey (LFS) data, which also includes a population reweighting. This is after only some experimental headline data was published between October 2023 and January 2024 due to falling response rates. The ONS have said that the reintroduced LFS estimates should be treated with additional caution. The Library briefing UK Labour market statistics provides more information.

There were 1.81 million unemployed people in the UK in January to March 2026, an increase of 192,000 from the previous year.

The unemployment rate (the percentage of the economically active population who are unemployed) was 5.0%, up from 4.5% a year before.

729,000 young people aged 16 to 24 were unemployed in January to March 2026, 110,000 more than the year before.

The unemployment rate for 16-to-24-year-olds was 16.2%, an increase from 14.2% a year before.

This page is updated when new data is published. The next source updates will be:

• ONS, Labour Market Statistics, 18 June 2026