The number of employed people in the United Kingdom rose by 100 thousand to 34.410 million in the three months to April 2026, following a 148 thousand increase in the previous period and above forecasts of a 75 thousand gain. This was mainly driven by growth in full-time employment, while part-time work declined over the quarter. Compared with a year earlier, employment increased by 399 thousand, reflecting gains in both full-time and part-time workers, with the rise in full-time employment driven by employees and the increase in part-time work supported by self-employed workers. Despite this, the employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 remained unchanged at 75.0%, both over the quarter and compared with a year earlier, following a period of relative stability since mid-2024. Meanwhile, the number of people holding second jobs declined to 1.277 million, accounting for 3.7% of total employment. source: Office for National Statistics

Employment in the United Kingdom increased by 100 in April of 2026. Employment Change in the United Kingdom averaged 44.59 Thousand from 1971 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 372.00 Thousand in August of 2024 and a record low of -472.00 Thousand in May of 2020. This page provides - United Kingdom Employment Change- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United Kingdom Employment Change - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Employment in the United Kingdom increased by 100 in April of 2026. Employment Change in the United Kingdom is expected to be 15.00 Thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Employment Change is projected to trend around 40.00 Thousand in 2027 and 45.00 Thousand in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-19 06:00 AM
Employment Change
Mar 148K 24K 107K 95.0K
2026-06-18 06:00 AM
Employment Change
Apr 100K 148K 75K 80.0K
2026-07-21 06:00 AM
Employment Change
May 100K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Weekly Hours 31.80 31.70 Hours Apr 2026
Claimant Count Change 31.20 8.30 Thousand May 2026
Employed Persons 34410.00 34392.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Employment Change 100.00 148.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Employment Rate 75.00 75.00 percent Apr 2026
Full Time Employment 25654.00 25642.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Job Vacancies 707.00 709.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 79.00 79.10 percent Apr 2026
Labour Costs 112.50 111.50 points Dec 2025
HMRC Payrolls Change 1.73 -52.65 Thousand May 2026
Part Time Employment 8755.00 8750.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Population 69.49 69.28 Million Dec 2025
Labour Productivity 99.99 99.10 points Mar 2026
Unemployed Persons 1680.60 1672.40 Thousand Apr 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.90 5.00 percent Apr 2026
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr) 4.40 4.40 percent Apr 2026
Average Weekly Wages 753.00 754.00 GBP/Week Apr 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 826.00 822.00 GBP/Week Apr 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 14.50 14.70 percent Apr 2026


United Kingdom Employment Change
In the United Kingdom, employment change refers to the 3-month moving average compared to the previous period in the number of people in employment aged 16 and over.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
100.00 148.00 372.00 -472.00 1971 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
SA

News Stream
UK Employment Rises Above Expectations
The number of employed people in the United Kingdom rose by 100 thousand to 34.410 million in the three months to April 2026, following a 148 thousand increase in the previous period and above forecasts of a 75 thousand gain. This was mainly driven by growth in full-time employment, while part-time work declined over the quarter. Compared with a year earlier, employment increased by 399 thousand, reflecting gains in both full-time and part-time workers, with the rise in full-time employment driven by employees and the increase in part-time work supported by self-employed workers. Despite this, the employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 remained unchanged at 75.0%, both over the quarter and compared with a year earlier, following a period of relative stability since mid-2024. Meanwhile, the number of people holding second jobs declined to 1.277 million, accounting for 3.7% of total employment.
2026-06-18
UK Employment Rises Most in 8 Months
The number of employed people in the United Kingdom rose by 148 thousand to 34.392 million in the three months to March 2026, following a downwardly revised 24 thousand increase in the previous period. The reading also topped expectations of a 107 thousand gain and marked the largest job increase since July last year, driven by growth in both full-time and part-time work among employees and the self-employed, with full-time roles contributing most to the overall rise. Compared with a year earlier, employment increased by 416 thousand. Despite this, the employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 edged up by just 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%, remaining broadly stable over the year. Meanwhile, the number of people holding second jobs declined to 1.273 million, accounting for 3.7% of those in employment.
2026-05-19
UK Employment Up 24K in February
The number of employed people in the United Kingdom rose by 24 thousand to 34.3 million in the three months to February 2026, following an 84 thousand increase in the previous period. The increase in employment was driven by a rise in full-time workers, particularly among the self-employed, while the number of full-time employees remained largely unchanged and part-time employment declined. Compared with a year earlier, employment increased by 332 thousand. Despite the rise in employment, the employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 edged down by 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%. Meanwhile, the number of people holding second jobs declined to 1.273 million, accounting for 3.7% of those in employment.
2026-04-21