Unemployed population — Unemployment in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Unemployed population — Unemployment was 1,740 Persons in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployed population — Unemployment in United Kingdom, 1956–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployed population — unemployment in United Kingdom is 1,740 Persons, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 15.4% on the previous year and down 2.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployed population — unemployment in United Kingdom peaked at 3,216 Persons in 1984 and was at its lowest, 215 Persons, in 1956.
United Kingdom ranks 9th of 35 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 329.25 Persons | 215 Persons | 420 Persons | 4 |
| 1960s | 400.7 Persons | 281 Persons | 542 Persons | 10 |
| 1970s | 915.4 Persons | 528 Persons | 1,359 Persons | 10 |
| 1980s | 2,649 Persons | 1,513 Persons | 3,216 Persons | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,276 Persons | 1,697 Persons | 2,889 Persons | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,649 Persons | 1,422 Persons | 2,402 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,974 Persons | 1,314 Persons | 2,592 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,513 Persons | 1,304 Persons | 1,740 Persons | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More work & labour data for United Kingdom
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 60.91 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 35,770 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 0.4352 % change on previous year (2027)
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (2023)
- Criminal penalties or civil remedies sexual harassment in employment 1 (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 61.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 65.6% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 87.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 57.3% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployed population — unemployment in United Kingdom?
- Unemployed population — unemployment in United Kingdom was 1,740 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest unemployed population — unemployment recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 3,216 Persons in 1984.
- What is the lowest unemployed population — unemployment recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 215 Persons in 1956.
- How does United Kingdom rank for unemployed population — unemployment?
- United Kingdom ranks 9th out of 35 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployed population — unemployment rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Unemployed population — Unemployment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 70 observations, free to reuse under OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required).
About this data
The infra-annual dataflow on the unemployed population is a subset of the infra-annual labour statistics database, which contains predominantly monthly and quarterly statistics on the unemployed population by age groups (15+, 15-24, 25-54, 55-64, 15-64 and 15-74 where available) and sex and associated statistical methodological information and associated statistical methodological information, for the OECD member countries and for selected other economies. Chile, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom publish Labour Force Survey (LFS) data using a rolling quarter methodology. The OECD treats the middle month of the rolling quarter as the reference month. As a result, the publication of monthly LFS data for these countries may be delayed by one month or more relative to the OECD reference month. The unemployed are persons in their working age who, in the reference period, do not have a job; are available for work; and, have taken specific steps to find a job. The infra-annual labour statistics compiled for all OECD member countries, are drawn from Labour Force Surveys based on definition provided by the 19th Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2013. The uniform application of these definitions across all OECD member countries results in estimates that are internationally comparable.