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# United Kingdom Unemployment Rate

> United Kingdom unemployment rate is 4.9% as of May 2026, from 4.9%. History from 1983, source OECD. Free API & MCP access.

Unemployment Rate in United Kingdom held at 4.9% in May 2026 from 4.9% in Apr 2026.

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.

## Stats

| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Span | Unit | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 4.9% | 4.9% | 11.3% (Sep 1986) | 3.6% (Jul 2022) | 1983–2026 | % | monthly |

## FAQ

**What is United Kingdom's unemployment rate right now?**

Unemployment Rate in United Kingdom is 4.9% as of May 2026.

**What are the historical extremes for United Kingdom's unemployment rate?**

The all-time high is 11.3% (Sep 1986); the record low is 3.6% (Jul 2022), over a series starting in 1983.

**How often is this series updated?**

Unemployment Rate for United Kingdom is a monthly series; values refresh when new data is published or revised.

**Where does this data come from?**

See our methodology page for how we source and verify every series.

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Full history via API: `GET https://api.economicsapi.com/v1/history?country=united-kingdom&indicator=unemployment-rate`.
Back to [United Kingdom economy](/united-kingdom.md).