Total average weekly earnings in the UK, including bonuses, rose 4.3% year-on-year to GBP 749 in the three months to May 2026, slowing from 4.4% in the previous two periods and falling short of market estimates of 4.5%. The increase marked the slowest pace since the three months to February, with private sector wage growth slowing to 4.0% from 4.2%. Meanwhile, public sector pay growth accelerated to 5.5% from 5.2%, the strongest increase since the three months to January. After adjusting for inflation, total earnings rose 1.1%, slightly below the 1.2% increase in the three months to April. source: Office for National Statistics

Wages in the United Kingdom increased 4.30 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Wage Growth in the United Kingdom averaged 3.46 percent from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 8.90 percent in June of 2021 and a record low of -2.90 percent in March of 2009. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Average Weekly Earnings Growth - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United Kingdom Average Weekly Earnings Growth - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

Wages in the United Kingdom increased 4.30 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Wage Growth in the United Kingdom is expected to be 3.70 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Average Weekly Earnings Growth is projected to trend around 2.20 percent in 2027 and 2.10 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-18 06:00 AM
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr)
Apr 4.4% 4.4% 4% 4.0%
2026-07-21 06:00 AM
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr)
May 4.3% 4.4% 4.5% 4.4%
2026-08-18 06:00 AM
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr)
Jun 4.3% 3.8%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Weekly Hours 31.90 31.80 Hours May 2026
Claimant Count Change 6.70 1.30 Thousand Jun 2026
Employed Persons 34475.00 34411.00 Thousand May 2026
Employment Change 148.00 99.00 Thousand May 2026
Employment Rate 75.10 75.10 percent May 2026
Full Time Employment 25695.00 25664.00 Thousand May 2026
Job Vacancies 712.00 710.00 Thousand May 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 79.10 79.00 percent May 2026
Labour Costs 112.50 111.50 points Dec 2025
HMRC Payrolls Change -3.86 2.83 Thousand Jun 2026
Part Time Employment 8780.00 8748.00 Thousand May 2026
Population 69.49 69.28 Million Dec 2025
Labour Productivity 99.99 99.10 points Mar 2026
Real Earnings Excluding Bonuses 0.40 0.50 percent May 2026
Real Earnings Including Bonuses 0.50 1.70 percent May 2026
Unemployed Persons 1681.90 1680.60 Thousand May 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.90 4.90 percent May 2026
Average Earnings incl. Bonus (3Mo/Yr) 4.30 4.40 percent May 2026
Average Weekly Wages 749.00 754.00 GBP/Week May 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 812.00 823.00 GBP/Week May 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 14.80 14.50 percent May 2026


United Kingdom Average Weekly Earnings Growth
In the United Kingdom, wage growth refers to changes in average weekly earnings, before tax and other deductions and including bonuses. The series measures the three-month average growth rate.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.30 4.40 8.90 -2.90 2001 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
UK Total Pay Growth Below Expectations
Total average weekly earnings in the UK, including bonuses, rose 4.3% year-on-year to GBP 749 in the three months to May 2026, slowing from 4.4% in the previous two periods and falling short of market estimates of 4.5%. The increase marked the slowest pace since the three months to February, with private sector wage growth slowing to 4.0% from 4.2%. Meanwhile, public sector pay growth accelerated to 5.5% from 5.2%, the strongest increase since the three months to January. After adjusting for inflation, total earnings rose 1.1%, slightly below the 1.2% increase in the three months to April.
2026-07-21
UK Total Pay Growth Stays Strong
Total average weekly earnings in the UK, including bonuses, rose 4.1% year-on-year to GBP 753 in the three months to April 2026, matching the upwardly revised increase in the previous period and slightly exceeding market expectations of 4.0%. The pace remained the fastest since the three months to November 2025. Private sector wage growth eased marginally to 4.2% from 4.3%, which had been the strongest since the three months to September 2025. In contrast, public sector pay growth accelerated to 5.2% from 4.9%, rebounding from its weakest pace since late 2024. Adjusted for inflation, total earnings increased 1.2%, up from 1.1% in the three months to March and marking the strongest real wage growth since the three months to April 2025.
2026-06-18
UK Total Pay Growth Above Expectations
Total average weekly earnings in the UK, including bonuses, increased 4.1% year-on-year to GBP 749 in the three months to March 2026, exceeding market estimates of 3.8% and accelerating from a 3.9% increase in the prior period, which had marked the slowest pace since the three months to November 2020. Private sector wage growth quickened to 3.9% from 3.6%, the fastest since late 2025, while public sector pay gains slowed to 4.9%, the lowest since late 2024, after a 5.2% rise previously. Adjusted for inflation, total earnings increased 0.8% over the period, faster than 0.6% gain in the three months to February and marking the strongest growth since late 2025.
2026-05-19