United Kingdom Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
United Kingdom's unemployment rate was 4.75% in 2025, ranked 79th globally. This represents a 10.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's unemployment rate stood at 4.75% in 2025, a rise of +0.45pp from 2024. The IMF projects 4.70% by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 79th globally.
The United Kingdom’s unemployment rate has fallen to 4.75 % in 2025, placing it 79th in the world and just above Norway’s 4.64 % and Ireland’s 4.63 % among its closest peers. After a prolonged high in the 1980s, when the rate peaked at 11.75 % in 1984, the labour market entered a sustained decline that reached an all‑time trough of 3.66 % in 2019, the lowest level in the 46‑year series. The post‑COVID recovery has seen a modest rise from that trough, driven by sectoral shifts and wage pressures, yet the rate remains well below the early‑1980s peak. Structural reforms, demographic ageing and the pace of automation will shape future movements; if productivity gains keep pace with labour force growth, the unemployment rate is likely to remain modestly low, though any slowdown in economic activity could reverse the downward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 4.08% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 4.30% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 4.50% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 4.60% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 4.70% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 4.70% | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.75% | +0.45pp | #79 |
| 2024 | 4.36% | +0.31pp | #80 |
| 2023 | 4.03% | +0.23pp | #76 |
| 2022 | 3.77% | −0.78pp | #60 |
| 2021 | 4.86% | +0.24pp | #67 |
| 2020 | 4.47% | +0.65pp | #56 |
| 2019 | 3.66% | −0.42pp | #55 |
| 2018 | 4.15% | −0.28pp | #66 |
| 2017 | 4.50% | −0.37pp | #72 |
| 2016 | 4.91% | −0.47pp | #74 |
| 2015 | 5.55% | −0.62pp | #84 |
| 2014 | 6.40% | −1.18pp | #94 |
| 2013 | 7.75% | −0.20pp | #113 |
| 2012 | 8.28% | +0.18pp | #120 |
| 2011 | 8.20% | +0.30pp | #122 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Kingdom matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1985. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's unemployment rate was 4.75% in 2025. Ranked 79th globally. This represents a 10.4% increase from the previous year.
United Kingdom's unemployment rate peaked at 11.75% in 1984.
The lowest unemployment rate in United Kingdom was 3.66% in 2019.
United Kingdom ranks 79th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Kingdom's unemployment rate is projected to reach 4.70% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of United Kingdom in 2025 was 4.75%. This ranks 79th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_unemployment-rate,
title = {United Kingdom Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}