Unemployment rate: young vs. older adults in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Unemployment rate: young vs. older adults was 14.3% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Unemployment rate: young vs. older adults in United Kingdom, 1991–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rate: young vs. older adults in United Kingdom is 14.3%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 19.9% on the previous year and down 18.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate: young vs. older adults in United Kingdom peaked at 22.1% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 10.2%, in 2001.
United Kingdom ranks 84th of 188 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Unemployment rate: young vs. older adults in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 13.8% | — |
| 1992 | 15.6% | +12.8% |
| 1993 | 17.4% | +11.5% |
| 1994 | 16.3% | -6.5% |
| 1995 | 15.5% | -5.0% |
| 1996 | 14.8% | -4.0% |
| 1997 | 13.5% | -9.2% |
| 1998 | 12.3% | -8.5% |
| 1999 | 12.3% | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 11.9% | -3.4% |
| 2001 | 10.2% | -14.2% |
| 2002 | 10.8% | +5.8% |
| 2003 | 11.2% | +4.2% |
| 2004 | 10.6% | -5.5% |
| 2005 | 13.1% | +22.9% |
| 2006 | 14.2% | +9.0% |
| 2007 | 14.6% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | 15.4% | +5.1% |
| 2009 | 19.5% | +26.9% |
| 2010 | 20.3% | +4.4% |
| 2011 | 21.7% | +6.7% |
| 2012 | 22.1% | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 20.9% | -5.3% |
| 2014 | 17.5% | -16.4% |
| 2015 | 15.2% | -13.3% |
| 2016 | 13.2% | -13.0% |
| 2017 | 12.5% | -5.2% |
| 2018 | 11.6% | -7.0% |
| 2019 | 10.7% | -8.2% |
| 2020 | 13.4% | +25.0% |
| 2021 | 12.9% | -3.5% |
| 2022 | 10.6% | -17.9% |
| 2023 | 11.9% | +12.8% |
| 2024 | 14.3% | +19.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 14.6% | 12.3% | 17.4% | 9 |
| 2000s | 13.1% | 10.2% | 19.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 16.6% | 10.7% | 22.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.6% | 10.6% | 14.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More work & labour data for United Kingdom
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 22,956 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 60.91 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 35,770 (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 57.91 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) 1.47 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 0.4352 % change on previous year (2027)
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 61.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate: young vs. older adults in United Kingdom?
- Unemployment rate: young vs. older adults in United Kingdom was 14.3% in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rate: young vs. older adults recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 22.1% in 2012.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate: young vs. older adults recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.2% in 2001.
- How does United Kingdom rank for unemployment rate: young vs. older adults?
- United Kingdom ranks 84th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment rate: young vs. older adults rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rate: young vs. older adults. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the labor force aged 15-24 without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon.