Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction was 9.0% in 2019. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2019)
9.0%
Change on year
up 119.5%
World rank
32nd
of 35 countries
All-time high
56.5%
in 1983
All-time low
4.1%
in 2018
Years of data
35
1983–2019

Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 1983–2019

02040601983200120191983: 56.5 Percentage1984: 49.9 Percentage1985: 50.4 Percentage1986: 47.6 Percentage1987: 45.9 Percentage1988: 38.5 Percentage1989: 34.5 Percentage1990: 32.4 Percentage1991: 40.6 Percentage1992: 45.9 Percentage1993: 47.6 Percentage1994: 42.5 Percentage1995: 32.7 Percentage1996: 35.8 Percentage1997: 32.2 Percentage1998: 26.5 Percentage1999: 15.6 Percentage2000: 16.7 Percentage2001: 16 Percentage2002: 16.4 Percentage2003: 12.1 Percentage2004: 12.8 Percentage2005: 12.7 Percentage2006: 9.8 Percentage2007: 9.4 Percentage2008: 13.4 Percentage2011: 13.6 Percentage2012: 12.4 Percentage2013: 17.3 Percentage2014: 8.6 Percentage2015: 11.5 Percentage2016: 7.8 Percentage2017: 11.6 Percentage2018: 4.1 Percentage2019: 9 Percentage

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 9.0%, measured in 2019.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 119.5% on the previous year and down 32.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 56.5% in 1983 and was at its lowest, 4.1%, in 2018.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 32nd of 35 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction registration/benefits in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 1983 to 2019.
Year Percentage Change
1983 56.5%
1984 49.9% -11.7%
1985 50.4% +1.0%
1986 47.6% -5.6%
1987 45.9% -3.6%
1988 38.5% -16.1%
1989 34.5% -10.4%
1990 32.4% -6.1%
1991 40.6% +25.3%
1992 45.9% +13.1%
1993 47.6% +3.7%
1994 42.5% -10.7%
1995 32.7% -23.1%
1996 35.8% +9.5%
1997 32.2% -10.1%
1998 26.5% -17.7%
1999 15.6% -41.1%
2000 16.7% +7.1%
2001 16.0% -4.2%
2002 16.4% +2.5%
2003 12.1% -26.2%
2004 12.8% +5.8%
2005 12.7% -0.8%
2006 9.8% -22.8%
2007 9.4% -4.1%
2008 13.4% +42.6%
2011 13.6% +1.5%
2012 12.4% -8.8%
2013 17.3% +39.5%
2014 8.6% -50.3%
2015 11.5% +33.7%
2016 7.8% -32.2%
2017 11.6% +48.7%
2018 4.1% -64.7%
2019 9.0% +119.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 46.2% 34.5% 56.5% 7
1990s 35.2% 15.6% 47.6% 10
2000s 13.3% 9.4% 16.7% 9
2010s 10.7% 4.1% 17.3% 9

Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  1. 29 Netherlands 13.8% compare
  2. 29 Netherlands 13.8% compare
  3. 31 Denmark 12.8% compare
  4. 32 United Kingdom 9.0% compare
  5. 34 Sweden 6.8% compare
  6. 35 Türkiye 3.6%

See the full ranking of 37 places →

More work & labour data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 9.0% in 2019, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 56.5% in 1983.
What is the lowest unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 4.1% in 2018.
How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 32nd out of 35 countries with data for 2019.
Is unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is down 32.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction registration/benefits. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployed-persons-by-duration-of-unemployment-and-distinction-registration-benefits/united-kingdom/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction registration/benefits
Unit
Percentage
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
37 places, 831 data points, 1983–2025
Last refreshed