United Kingdom Unemployment Rate stands at 4.90% as of May 2026, up from 4.70% a year earlier. The reading sits in the 26th percentile of its history back to 1983.
| Latest (May 2026) | 4.90% |
| One year ago | 4.70% |
| 10-year range | 3.60% – 5.30% |
| All-time range | 3.60% (2022) – 11.30% (1985) |
| Change over 12 months | +0.2 pts — peaked at 5.20% in 2025 |
| Percentile vs. full history | 26th |
| History | 1983–2026 (521 observations) |
The share of United Kingdom's labor force that is out of work and looking for a job. Unemployment is a lagging indicator on the way down but a powerful early signal on the way up: sustained increases from a cycle low have historically been among the most reliable markers of a downturn taking hold. Because labor data is published promptly and revised little, it anchors the growth pillar of most macro frameworks. Data: harmonized unemployment statistics via the OECD.
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<a href="https://www.tacticalassetallocation.com/charts/united-kingdom-unemployment-rate/">United Kingdom Unemployment Rate — Cambria Chart Lab</a>
Data: download CSV (source: OECD key economic indicators).