Unemployment Rate: United Kingdom
United Kingdom's unemployment rate is currently 4.7% as of 2026. # United Kingdom Unemployment Rate The United Kingdom's unemployment rate stands at 4.
Current (2026)
4.7%
+0.0% y/y
Peak (1984)
11.8%
Low (2019)
3.8%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Unemployment Rate — United Kingdom
1980 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — United Kingdom
Analysis# United Kingdom Unemployment Rate
The United Kingdom's unemployment rate stands at 4.7% in 2026, reflecting a stable labor market near historical lows. This figure sits well below the 11.8% peak recorded in 1984 during the post-industrial recession, and matches the low of 3.8% achieved in 2019 before pandemic disruptions. Over the 46-year period since 1980, unemployment has declined 33.8%, demonstrating a long-term improvement in employment conditions despite cyclical fluctuations.
The 2020 pandemic triggered a sharp rise to 4.6%, yet recovery proved relatively swift, with the rate returning to 3.8% by 2022. Since then, unemployment has edged upward, reaching 4.7% by 2025-2026. This recent modest increase suggests tightening labor market conditions and potential early-stage economic softening, though current levels remain historically favorable compared to the severe joblessness of prior decades.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 4.1% | -4.65% |
| 2029 | 4.3% | -4.44% |
| 2028 | 4.5% | -2.17% |
| 2027 | 4.6% | -2.13% |
| 2026 | 4.7% | +0.00% |
| 2025 | 4.7% | +9.30% |
| 2024 | 4.3% | +4.88% |
| 2023 | 4.1% | +7.89% |
| 2022 | 3.8% | -17.39% |
| 2021 | 4.6% | +0.00% |
| 2020 | 4.6% | +21.05% |
| 2019 | 3.8% | -7.32% |
| 2018 | 4.1% | -6.82% |
| 2017 | 4.4% | -10.20% |
| 2016 | 4.9% | -9.26% |
| 2015 | 5.4% | -12.90% |
| 2014 | 6.2% | -18.42% |
| 2013 | 7.6% | -5.00% |
| 2012 | 8.0% | -1.23% |
| 2011 | 8.1% | +2.53% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 7.9% | +3.95% |
| 2009 | 7.6% | +33.33% |
| 2008 | 5.7% | +5.56% |
| 2007 | 5.4% | +0.00% |
| 2006 | 5.4% | +12.50% |
| 2005 | 4.8% | +0.00% |
| 2004 | 4.8% | -4.00% |
| 2003 | 5.0% | -3.85% |
| 2002 | 5.2% | +1.96% |
| 2001 | 5.1% | -7.27% |
| 2000 | 5.5% | -8.33% |
| 1999 | 6.0% | -4.76% |
| 1998 | 6.3% | -10.00% |
| 1997 | 7.0% | -13.58% |
| 1996 | 8.1% | -5.81% |
| 1995 | 8.6% | -9.47% |
| 1994 | 9.5% | -8.65% |
| 1993 | 10.4% | +4.00% |
| 1992 | 10.0% | +12.36% |
| 1991 | 8.9% | +25.35% |
| 1990 | 7.1% | -1.39% |
| 1989 | 7.2% | -16.28% |
| 1988 | 8.6% | -17.31% |
| 1987 | 10.4% | -7.96% |
| 1986 | 11.3% | -0.88% |
| 1985 | 11.4% | -3.39% |
| 1984 | 11.8% | +2.61% |
| 1983 | 11.5% | +7.48% |
| 1982 | 10.7% | +10.31% |
| 1981 | 9.7% | +36.62% |
| 1980 | 7.1% | — |
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