The UK unemployment rate reached 4.9% in the December 2025 to February 2026 quarter, while job vacancies dropped to 711,000 — the lowest count since early 2021. This article breaks down the latest employment in the UK statistics for 2026, covering labour market rates, vacancy trends, redundancy data, and pay growth, all drawn from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) April 2026 release.
Employment in the UK Statistics 2026 — TL;DR
The UK employment rate for people aged 16–64 was 75.0% in the December 2025 to February 2026 period, unchanged on both the quarter and the year.
Unemployment rose to 4.9%, up year-on-year, with roughly 2.5 unemployed people competing for each open vacancy.
Total job vacancies fell to 711,000 — down 29,000 (-3.9%) on the quarter and 54% below the mid-2022 peak of around 1.3 million.
13 out of 18 industry sectors reported fewer vacancies, with small businesses (1–9 employees) recording the steepest drop of any firm size.
The redundancy rate stood at 4.6 per 1,000 employees. It fell on the quarter but rose slightly compared to a year ago.
What Is the UK Employment Rate in 2026?
The ONS Labour Force Survey recorded a 75.0% employment rate for people aged 16–64 in the December 2025 to February 2026 reference period. That rate was little changed from both the previous quarter and the same period a year earlier. Total workforce jobs across the UK were estimated at 36.6 million, though this figure showed an annual decrease.
The economic inactivity rate — covering people aged 16–64 who are neither employed nor looking for work — sat at 21.0%. This group includes long-term sick individuals, students, carers, and early retirees, and it represents a pool of potential labour that doesn’t appear in unemployment figures.
UK Labour Market Headline Rates (Dec 2025–Feb 2026)
| Metric | Figure | Change (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Employment rate (ages 16–64) | 75.0% | Little changed |
| Unemployment rate (ages 16+) | 4.9% | Increased |
| Economic inactivity rate (ages 16–64) | 21.0% | — |
| Total workforce jobs | 36.6 million | Annual decrease |
Source: ONS “Employment in the UK,” April 2026; ONS “UK Labour Market,” March 2026
How Many Job Vacancies Are There in the UK?
UK job vacancies totalled 711,000 for the January to March 2026 period, a quarterly drop of 29,000 or 3.9%. That’s the lowest vacancy count since early 2021. At the market’s peak in mid-2022, vacancies topped 1.3 million — so the current figure is roughly 54% below that high point.
The decline was broad. 13 of 18 industry sectors reported fewer openings. Small businesses employing 1–9 people saw the largest drop of any firm size category. These micro-employers tend to hire based on immediate revenue conditions, making their pullback a more sensitive signal of economic softening than large-employer trends.
UK Job Vacancies: Peak to Present
| Vacancy Metric | Figure | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Total UK job vacancies | 711,000 | Lowest since early 2021 |
| Quarterly change | -29,000 (-3.9%) | Continued decline |
| Mid-2022 peak | ~1.3 million | All-time high |
| Peak-to-present drop | ~54% | Sustained multi-year normalisation |
| Sectors with fewer vacancies | 13 of 18 | Broad-based softening |
| Firm size most affected | 1–9 employees | Largest category drop |
Source: ONS “Jobs and Vacancies in the UK,” April 2026
What Is the Unemployed-to-Vacancy Ratio in the UK?
There are approximately 2.5 unemployed people for every open vacancy in the UK as of early 2026. This ratio is the single best indicator of labour market tightness. In mid-2022, it sat below 1.0 — meaning vacancies outnumbered unemployed people. The shift from sub-1.0 to 2.5 shows a clear loosening, though the ratio remains below the pre-pandemic norm of 3.0 to 3.5.
Unemployed per Vacancy Ratio Over Time
Source: ONS “Jobs and Vacancies in the UK,” April 2026; ONS historical data
UK Redundancy Rate and Employment in the UK Statistics on Job Losses
The redundancy rate in the December 2025 to February 2026 quarter was 4.6 per 1,000 employees. On a quarterly basis, that number actually fell — a sign that the immediate pace of layoffs has eased from its recent peak. But year-on-year, redundancies rose slightly, reflecting a longer-term uptick compared to the very low rates of 2022–2023 when hiring was at full stretch.
This combination — stable employment rate, rising unemployment, falling vacancies, and a modest year-on-year increase in redundancies — points to a labour market where flows from employment to unemployment are picking up while new hiring slows. It doesn’t match a sharp recessionary pattern, but the direction is clear.
| Redundancy Metric | Figure | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Redundancy rate | 4.6 per 1,000 employees | Down on the quarter |
| Year-on-year change | Slight increase | Elevated vs. 2022–2023 lows |
Source: ONS “Employment in the UK,” April 2026
How Is Pay Growth Affecting UK Workers?
Pay growth has slowed across the UK workforce, and the slowdown is hitting younger workers and entry-level roles hardest. Real wage growth — the gap between nominal pay increases and inflation — has been the key measure of household purchasing power since the 2022–2023 inflation spike. With nominal growth now decelerating faster for younger age groups, their real wage recovery is trailing the workforce average.
Vacancy Decreases by Sector Spread
Source: ONS “Jobs and Vacancies in the UK,” April 2026; The Guardian citing ONS wage data
Employment in the UK Statistics: Key Figures at a Glance
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Employment rate (ages 16–64) | 75.0% |
| Unemployment rate (ages 16+) | 4.9% |
| Economic inactivity rate (ages 16–64) | 21.0% |
| Workforce jobs (estimated) | 36.6 million |
| Total job vacancies | 711,000 |
| Quarterly vacancy change | -29,000 (-3.9%) |
| Unemployed per vacancy | ~2.5:1 |
| Sectors with vacancy decreases | 13 of 18 |
| Firm size most affected | Small businesses (1–9 employees) |
| Redundancy rate | 4.6 per 1,000 employees |
| Vacancy peak comparison | 711,000 vs ~1.3 million (mid-2022) |
Source: ONS “Employment in the UK,” April 2026; ONS “Jobs and Vacancies in the UK,” April 2026
FAQs
What is the UK employment rate in 2026?
The UK employment rate was 75.0% for people aged 16–64 in the December 2025 to February 2026 quarter, according to the ONS Labour Force Survey released in April 2026.
How many job vacancies are there in the UK in 2026?
Total UK job vacancies stood at 711,000 for January to March 2026 — the lowest level since early 2021 and 54% below the mid-2022 peak of around 1.3 million.
What is the current UK unemployment rate?
The UK unemployment rate was 4.9% for people aged 16 and over in the December 2025 to February 2026 period, up year-on-year from the previous reference period.
Which UK businesses are cutting vacancies the most?
Small businesses employing 1–9 people recorded the largest vacancy drop of any firm size category. Overall, 13 of 18 industry sectors reported fewer openings in early 2026.
What is the UK redundancy rate in 2026?
The redundancy rate was 4.6 per 1,000 employees. It fell on the quarter but rose slightly year-on-year compared to the historically low rates recorded during 2022–2023.
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