United Kingdom Unemployment Rate
4.9%▲ +0 pt
May 2026 · Monthly
Unemployment Rate in United Kingdom held at 4.9% in May 2026 from 4.9% in Apr 2026.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9% | 4.9% | 11.3%Sep 1986 | 3.6%Jul 2022 | 1983 – 2026 | Monthly |
Related indicators
| Indicator | Last | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Last updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 69.5M | 69.3M | 69.5M | 52.4M | Dec 2025 | Annual |
| GDP Growth Rate | 1.2% | 0.9% | 25.5% | -21.7% | Jun 2026 | Quarterly |
About this series
Unemployment Rate in United Kingdom averaged 6.2% from 1983 until 2026, reaching an all-time high of 11.3% in Sep 1986 and a record low of 3.6% in Jul 2022. The series is reported monthly with history from 1983.
Source & methodology
We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.
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