The unemployment rate in the UK came in at 4.1 percent in the third quarter of 2018, slightly higher than market expectations of 4 percent. The number of unemployed rose by 21,000 from the April to June period while employment rose by 23,000 and the number of job vacancies hit a fresh record high. Average weekly earnings including bonuses rose 3 percent in the third quarter, the most since Q3 2015; excluding bonuses, wages grew 3.2 percent, the most since Q4 2008. Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 7.02 percent from 1971 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 12 percent in February of 1984 and a record low of 3.40 percent in November of 1973.

United Kingdom Unemployment Rate
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UK Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.1%


The unemployment rate in the UK came in at 4.1 percent in the third quarter of 2018, slightly higher than market expectations of 4 percent. The number of unemployed rose by 21,000 from the April to June period while employment rose by 23,000 and the number of job vacancies hit a fresh record high. Average weekly earnings including bonuses rose 3 percent in the third quarter, the most since Q3 2015; excluding bonuses, wages grew 3.2 percent, the most since Q4 2008.

There were 1.38 million unemployed people, 21,000 more than for April to June 2018 but 43,000 fewer than for a year earlier. The unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, slightly higher than for April to June 2018 but lower than for a year earlier (4.3 percent). 

There were 32.41 million people in work, 23,000 more compared with April to June 2018 and 350,000 more than for a year earlier. The employment rate was 75.5 percent, little changed compared with April to June 2018 but higher than for a year earlier (75 percent).

There were 8.74 million people aged from 16 to 64 years who were economically inactive, little changed compared with April to June 2018 but 147,000 fewer than for a year earlier. The economic inactivity rate was 21.2 percent, unchanged compared with April to June 2018 but lower than for a year earlier (21.6 percent).

Latest estimates show that average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain in nominal terms (that is, not adjusted for price inflation) increased by 3.2 percent excluding bonuses, and by 3 percent including bonuses, compared with a year earlier. Latest estimates show that average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain in real terms (that is, adjusted for price inflation) increased by 0.9 percent excluding bonuses, and by 0.8 percent including bonuses, compared with a year earlier.


ONS | Joana Ferreira | joana.ferreira@tradingeconomics.com
11/13/2018 9:42:49 AM


Recent Releases

UK Jobless Rate Steady at 4%, Lowest Since 1975
The unemployment rate in the UK was unchanged at 4 percent in the three months to August 2018, the lowest since 1975 and matching market expectations. The number of unemployed dropped by 47,000 from the March to May period while employment unexpectedly declined by 5,000, the first fall in near a year.
Published on 2018-10-16

UK Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 43-Year Low
The unemployment rate in the UK held steady at 4 percent in the three months to July 2018, its joint-lowest since 1975 and in line with market consensus. The number of unemployed declined by 55,000 from the February to April period while employment rose by 3,000 and the number of job vacancies hit a fresh record high. Meanwhile, annual wage growth picked up from a nine-month low as businesses found it harder to recruit staff.
Published on 2018-09-11

UK Jobless Rate Falls to Lowest since 1975
The unemployment rate in the UK fell to 4 percent in the three months to June 2018, the lowest level since the December 1974-February 1975 period and below market consensus of 4.2 percent. The number of unemployed declined by 65,000 from the January to March period while employment rose by 42,000. Still, annual wage growth eased to a nine-month low.
Published on 2018-08-14

UK Jobless Rate Unchanged at 42-Year Low
The jobless rate in the UK stood at 4.2 percent in the three months to May, its joint-lowest since 1975. The number of unemployed declined by 12,000 from the December to February period while 137,000 jobs were created, bringing the employment rate to a record high of 75.7 percent. Still, wage growth eased to a six-month low.
Published on 2018-07-17



Calendar GMT Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2018-09-11 08:30 AM Unemployment Rate 4% 4% 4% 4.1%
2018-10-16 08:30 AM Unemployment Rate 4% 4% 4% 4%
2018-11-13 09:30 AM Unemployment Rate 4.1% 4% 4% 4.1%
2018-12-11 09:30 AM Unemployment Rate 4.1% 4.1%


United Kingdom Labour Last Previous Highest Lowest Unit
Unemployment Rate 4.10 4.00 12.00 3.40 percent [+]
Employed Persons 32409.00 32394.00 32409.00 23630.00 Thousand [+]
Unemployed Persons 967.70 947.50 3090.00 422.60 Thousand [+]
Part Time Employment 8475.00 8499.00 8636.00 5995.00 Thousand [+]
Full Time Employment 23934.00 23895.00 23934.00 19136.00 Thousand [+]
Employment Rate 75.50 75.50 75.70 65.60 percent [+]
Claimant Count Change 20.20 23.20 142.80 -98.50 Thousand [+]
Labor Force Participation Rate 78.80 78.80 79.00 74.10 percent [+]
Long Term Unemployment Rate 1.00 1.10 4.30 0.90 percent [+]
Youth Unemployment Rate 11.30 11.00 22.30 9.70 percent [+]
Productivity 101.20 101.60 101.70 43.10 Index Points [+]
Labour Costs 103.90 103.80 103.90 20.70 Index Points [+]
Job Vacancies 845.00 840.00 845.00 432.00 Thousand [+]
Wages 524.00 523.00 524.00 300.00 GBP/Week [+]
Wage Growth 3.00 2.80 6.60 -2.60 percent [+]
Wages in Manufacturing 605.00 602.00 605.00 356.00 GBP/Week [+]
Minimum Wages 7.83 7.50 7.83 5.05 GBP/Hour [+]
Population 66.19 65.81 66.19 52.20 Million [+]
Retirement Age Women 65.00 64.17 65.00 60.00 [+]
Retirement Age Men 65.00 65.00 65.00 65.00 [+]
Living Wage Family 1300.00 1230.00 1300.00 1180.00 GBP/Month [+]
Living Wage Individual 895.00 850.00 900.00 785.00 GBP/Month [+]
Wages Low Skilled 1320.00 1180.00 1320.00 1180.00 GBP/Month [+]
Wages High Skilled 2330.00 2110.00 2460.00 2110.00 GBP/Month [+]
Average Weekly Hours 32.20 32.10 33.50 31.30 Hours [+]
Employment Change 23.00 -5.00 307.00 -279.00 Thousand [+]


United Kingdom Unemployment Rate

In the United Kingdom, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United Kingdom Unemployment Rate - actual data, historical chart and calendar of releases - was last updated on November of 2018.

Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.10 4.00 12.00 3.40 1971 - 2018 percent Monthly




Country Last
South Africa 27.50 Sep/18
Spain 14.55 Sep/18
Brazil 11.90 Sep/18
Turkey 11.10 Aug/18
Italy 10.10 Sep/18
Argentina 9.60 Jun/18
France 9.10 Jun/18
Euro Area 8.10 Sep/18
Saudi Arabia 6.00 Jun/18
Canada 5.80 Oct/18
Indonesia 5.34 Jun/18
Australia 5.00 Oct/18
Russia 4.50 Sep/18
United Kingdom 4.10 Sep/18
South Korea 3.90 Oct/18
China 3.82 Sep/18
Netherlands 3.70 Oct/18
United States 3.70 Oct/18
Mexico 3.60 Sep/18
India 3.52 Dec/17
Germany 3.40 Sep/18
Switzerland 2.40 Oct/18
Japan 2.30 Sep/18
Singapore 2.10 Sep/18


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