The number of employed people in the United Kingdom rose by 84 thousand to 34.310 million in the three months to January 2026, exceeding expectations of a 4 thousand decline and following a 52 thousand increase in the previous period. This marks the largest job growth since late August, driven by gains in both full-time and part-time employment. Compared with a year earlier, employment increased by 388 thousand, largely due to a rise in the number of employees. The employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 rose by 0.2 percentage points to 75.1%. The number of people holding second jobs remained largely unchanged at 1.302 million, representing 3.8% of the employed population. source: Office for National Statistics

Employment in the United Kingdom increased by 84 in January of 2026. Employment Change in the United Kingdom averaged 44.38 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 March of 2026.

Employment in the United Kingdom increased by 84 in January of 2026. Employment Change in the United Kingdom is expected to be -20.00 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
2026-02-17 07:00 AM
Employment Change
Dec 52K 82K -40.0K
2026-03-19 07:00 AM
Employment Change
Jan 84K 52K -4K -10.0K
2026-04-15 06:00 AM
Employment Change
Feb 84K -35.0K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Weekly Hours 31.80 31.90 Hours Jan 2026
Claimant Count Change 24.70 4.70 Thousand Feb 2026
Employed Persons 34310.00 34244.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Change 84.00 52.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Rate 75.10 75.00 percent Jan 2026
Full Time Employment 25523.00 25499.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Job Vacancies 721.00 730.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 79.30 79.20 percent Jan 2026
Labour Costs 112.70 110.70 points Sep 2025
HMRC Payrolls Change 20.17 6.47 Thousand Feb 2026
Part Time Employment 8787.00 8745.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Population 69.49 69.28 Million Dec 2025
Labour Productivity 99.00 99.60 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 1666.90 1662.20 Thousand Jan 2026
Unemployment Rate 5.20 5.20 percent Jan 2026
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr) 3.90 4.20 percent Jan 2026
Average Weekly Wages 742.00 735.00 GBP/Week Jan 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 809.00 809.00 GBP/Week Jan 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 14.50 14.00 percent Jan 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
84.00 52.00 372.00 -472.00 1971 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
SA

News Stream
UK Employment Unexpectedly Rises
The number of employed people in the United Kingdom rose by 84 thousand to 34.310 million in the three months to January 2026, exceeding expectations of a 4 thousand decline and following a 52 thousand increase in the previous period. This marks the largest job growth since late August, driven by gains in both full-time and part-time employment. Compared with a year earlier, employment increased by 388 thousand, largely due to a rise in the number of employees. The employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 rose by 0.2 percentage points to 75.1%. The number of people holding second jobs remained largely unchanged at 1.302 million, representing 3.8% of the employed population.
2026-03-19
UK Employment Rises 52K in December
The number of employed people in the United Kingdom rose by 52 thousand to 34.244 million in the three months to December 2025, marking a second consecutive increase following an 82 thousand rise in the previous period. The growth was largely driven by increases in employee numbers, while full-time employment decreased and part-time employment rose. Compared with a year earlier, employment increased by 381 thousand, supported by gains in both employees and part-time workers. Meanwhile, the employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 edged down by 0.1 percentage points to 75.0%. The number of individuals holding second jobs decreased slightly to 1.287 million, representing 3.8% of the employed population.
2026-02-17
UK Employment Rises More Than Expected
The number of employed people in the United Kingdom rose by 82,000 to 34.303 million in the three months to November 2025, exceeding expectations of a 27,000 increase and following a 16,000 decline in the previous period. The growth was largely driven by higher employee numbers, while full-time self-employment declined and part-time self-employment rose. Compared with a year earlier, employment increased by 513,000, supported by gains in both employees and part-time self-employed workers. Meanwhile, the employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 remained unchanged at 75.1%. The number of individuals holding second jobs rose slightly to 1.294 million, representing 3.8% of the employed population.
2026-01-20