UK Jobless Rate Rises to Nearly 4-Year High

The United Kingdom’s unemployment rate rose to 4.7% in the three months to May 2025, defying market expectations that it would remain at April’s 2.6%.

This marks the highest level since the three months ending July 2021.

Compared to the prior period, unemployment increased for those unemployed of up to 6 months, between 6 and 12 months, and over 12 months.

On an annual basis, unemployment also rose across each of these categories.

Meanwhile, the number of employed individuals grew by 134 thousand to 34.13 million—the highest since February—driven by gains in both part-time and full-time employment.

The number of people holding second jobs also increased, now accounting for 3.9% of all employed individuals.

Lastly, the economic inactivity rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 21%.