London had the highest unemployment rate among regions of the United Kingdom in the third quarter of 2025 at *** percent, while for the UK as a whole, the unemployment rate was **** percent. Six other regions also had an unemployment rate higher than the national average, while Northern Ireland had the lowest unemployment rate in this time period, at *** percent. Labor market recovery after COVID-19 After reaching historically low levels of unemployment in 2019, there was a noticeable spike in the UK unemployment rate in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. After peaking at ****percent in late 2020, the unemployment rate declined throughout 2021 and 2022. High levels of job vacancies, resignations, and staff shortages in 2022, were all indicative of a very tight labor market that year, but all these measures have started to point in the direction of a slightly looser labor market. UK's regional economic divide While the North of England has some of the country’s largest cities, the sheer size and economic power of London is much larger than the UK's other urban agglomerations. Partly, due to the size of London, the United Kingdom is one of Europe’s most centralized counties, and there is a clear divide between the economic prospects of north and south England. In 2022, for example, the gross domestic product per head in London was ****** British pounds, far higher than the UK average of *******pounds, and significantly larger than North East England, the region with the lowest GDP per head at *******pounds.

The unemployment rate for Greater London was *** percent in the first quarter of 2025. The borough of Newham experienced the highest unemployment rate in this time period at ****percent, compared to Richmond upon Thames, which had an unemployment rate of *** percent.

United Kingdom Unemployment Rate: sa: England: London data was reported at 4.667 % in Aug 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.876 % for May 2018. United Kingdom Unemployment Rate: sa: England: London data is updated quarterly, averaging 7.600 % from May 1992 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 106 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.300 % in Nov 1993 and a record low of 4.667 % in Aug 2018. United Kingdom Unemployment Rate: sa: England: London data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.G033: Unemployment Rate: By Region: Seasonally Adjusted.

The unemployment rate of the United Kingdom was five percent in September 2025, up from 4.8 percent in the previous month, and the highest rate of unemployment since 2021. Before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK had relatively low levels of unemployment. Between January 2000 and the most recent month, unemployment was highest in November 2011, when the unemployment rate hit 8.5 percent. Will unemployment continue to rise in 2025? Although low by historic standards, there has been a noticeable uptick in the UK's unemployment rate, with other labor market indicators also pointing to further loosening. In December 2024, the number of job vacancies in the UK fell to its lowest level since May 2021, while payrolled employment declined by 47,000 compared with November. Whether this is a continuation of a broader cooling of the labor market since 2022 or a reaction to more recent economic developments, such as upcoming tax rises for employers, remains to be seen. Forecasts made in late 2024 suggest that the unemployment rate will remain relatively stable in 2025, averaging out at 4.1 percent and falling again to four percent in 2026.
Demographics of the unemployed As of the third quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate for men was slightly higher than that of women, at 4.4 percent, compared to 4.1 percent. During the financial crisis at the end of the 2000s, the unemployment rate for women peaked at a quarterly rate of 7.7 percent, whereas for men, the rate was 9.1 percent. Unemployment is also heavily associated with age, and young people in general are far more vulnerable to unemployment than older age groups. In late 2011, for example, the unemployment rate for those aged between 16 and 24 reached 22.3 percent, compared with 8.2 percent for people aged 25 to 34, while older age groups had even lower peaks during this time.

The Labour Market Indicators spreadsheet for boroughs and regions will no longer be updated from March 2015. The final version from March 2015 will still be available to download at the bottom of this page. Most of the data is available within datasets elsewhere on the Datastore.

Workforce Jobs
Unemployment
Model based Unemployment for Boroughs
Claimant Count rates for Boroughs and Wards
Employment Rate Trends
Employment rates by Gender, Age and Disability
Number of Self Employed, Full and Part Time Employed
Employment by Occupation
Employment by Industry
Employment, Unemployment, Economic Activity and Inactivity Rates by Disability
Employment by Ethnicity
Economic Inactivity by Gender and Reason
Qualifications of Economically Active, Employed and Unemployed
Qualification levels of working-age population
Apprenticeship Starts and Achievements
Young People Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET), Borough
19 year olds Qualified to NVQ Level 3
GCE A level examination results of 16-18 year olds
GCSE Results by Pupil Characteristics
People Claiming Out-of-Work Benefits
People Claiming Incapacity Benefit
Children Living in Workless Households
Gross Value Added, and Gross Disposable Household Income
Earnings by place of residence
Earnings by place of work
Business Demographics
Employment projections by sector
Jobs Density
Population Estimates
Population Migration

Core Indicators

Number of London residents of working age in employment
Employment rate
Number of male London residents of working age in employment
Male employment rate
Number of female London residents of working age in employment
Female employment rate
Workforce jobs
Jobs density
Number

Unemployment numbers and rates for those aged 16 or over. The unemployed population consists of those people out of work, who are actively looking for work and are available to start immediately.

Unemployed numbers and rates also shown for equalities groups, by age, sex, ethnic group, and disability.

The data are taken from the Labour Force Survey and Annual Population Survey, produced by the Office for National Statistics.

The data are produced monthly on a rolling quarterly basis. The month shown is the month the quarter ends on.

The International Labour Organization defines unemployed people as: without a job, want a job, have actively sought work in the last 4 weeks and are available to start work in the next 2 weeks, or, out of work, have found a job and are waiting to start it in the next 2 weeks.

The figures in this dataset are adjusted to compensate for seasonal variations in employment (seasonally adjusted).

Data by equalities groups has a longer time lag and is only available quarterly from the Annual Population Survey, which is not seasonally adjusted.

Useful links

Click here for Regional labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics.

Click here for Labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics.

See here for GLA Economics' Labour Market Analysis.

See here for Economic Inactivity statistics.

See here for Employment rates.

This dataset is one of the Greater London Authority's measures of Economic Fairness. Click here to find out more.

London's unemployment rate was *** percent in the third quarter of 2025. Since 2000, London's unemployment rate was at its highest during the fourth quarter of 2011 when it reached **** percent.

Unemployment numbers and rates for those aged 16 or over. The unemployed population consists of those people out of work, who are actively looking for work and are available to start immediately. Unemployed numbers and rates also shown for equalities groups, by age, sex, ethnic group, and disability. The data are taken from the Labour Force Survey and Annual Population Survey, produced by the Office for National Statistics. The data are produced monthly on a rolling quarterly basis. The month shown is the month the quarter ends on. The International Labour Organization defines unemployed people as: without a job, want a job, have actively sought work in the last 4 weeks and are available to start work in the next 2 weeks, or, out of work, have found a job and are waiting to start it in the next 2 weeks. The figures in this dataset are adjusted to compensate for seasonal variations in employment (seasonally adjusted). Data by equalities groups has a longer time lag and is only available quarterly from the Annual Population Survey, which is not seasonally adjusted. Useful links Click here for Regional labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics. Click here for Labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics. See here for GLA Economics' Labour Market Analysis. See here for Economic Inactivity statistics. See here for Employment rates. This dataset is one of the Greater London Authority's measures of Economic Fairness. Click here to find out more.

Unemployment numbers and rates for those aged 16 or over. The unemployed population consists of those people out of work, who are actively looking for work and are available to start immediately.

Unemployed numbers and rates also shown for equalities groups, by age, sex, ethnic group, and disability. Economic inactivity rates and numbers for regions.

The data are taken from the Labour Force Survey and Annual Population Survey, produced by the Office for National Statistics.

The data are produced monthly on a rolling quarterly basis. The month shown is the month the quarter ends on.

International Labour Organization define unemployed people as: without a job, want a job, have actively sought work in the last 4 weeks and are available to start work in the next 2 weeks, or, out of work, have found a job and are waiting to start it in the next 2 weeks.

The figures in this dataset are adjusted to compensate for seasonal variations in employment (Seasonally adjusted).

Data by equalities groups has a longer time lag and is only available quarterly from the Annual Population Survey, which is not seasonally adjusted.

Click http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-labour/regional-labour-market-statistics/index.html">here for Regional labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics

Click http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/labour-market-statistics/index.html">here for Labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics

As of the third quarter of 2025, the youth unemployment rate in the UK was highest in North East England at 23.6 percent, compared with the UK average of 15.3 percent. As of this quarter, Northern Ireland had the lowest youth unemployment rate at 7.8 percent.

United Kingdom Unemployment: sa: London data was reported at 241.678 Person th in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 255.251 Person th for Apr 2018. United Kingdom Unemployment: sa: London data is updated monthly, averaging 298.500 Person th from Apr 1992 (Median) to May 2018, with 314 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 493.000 Person th in Nov 1993 and a record low of 230.000 Person th in Jun 2001. United Kingdom Unemployment: sa: London data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.G019: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment: Seasonally Adjusted.

Labour market indicators for UK constituent countries and English regions, including employment, unemployment, economic inactivity, workers' hours, jobs and Claimant Count, published monthly.

The most up-to-date information on London's economy, published by email every month. Each issue includes an overview of current economic conditions, the latest indicators and a supplement on a significant issue facing London. Additional data from the latest edition of London’s Economy Today can be found here on the Datastore. Sign up to receive London's Economy Today every month. HOUSING INDICATORS Nationwide Regional House Price Index (Quarterly since 1973) One of several indicators for house prices published on a quarterly basis. Nationwide External link The Land Registry house price index (Quarterly since 1968). Land Registry data External link LABOUR MARKET INDICATORS The unemployment rate. (Quarterly since Q2 1992) The unemployment rate measures the proportion of the economically active population (those in work plus those seeking and available to work) who were unemployed. Seasonally Adjusted. TRANSPORT INDICATORS London Underground Journeys (Monthly since 2006) including moving average and annual rate of growth Bus Journeys (Monthly since 2006) including moving average and annual rate of growth Passengers at London airports (Monthly since 1994) Monthly, and annual airport passenger figures including data from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead and London City airports. Cival Aviation Authority External link

Economic activity rates, employment rates and unemployment rates broken down by ethnic group. The economically active population comprises those who are either employed or unemployed and excludes those who are economically inactive. The data are taken from the Annual Population Survey (APS), produced by the Office for National Statistics.

Two years after the UK recession ended in the final quarter of 2009, came a decrease in GDP in the final quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012, signifying an official “double dip” recession. This Update looks at key labour market indicators since the beginning of the recession period in 2008. It presents the latest national and London figures of those claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA), known as the claimant count, and also shows the official unemployment measure: the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition, which is derived from the Labour Force Survey. It gives some detail on the geography and characteristics of those looking for work. In addition, it gives figures for employment levels.

As of the second quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate for men in London was *** percent, while for women it was *** percent.

This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify Household Reference Persons aged 16 years and over in England and Wales by tenure and by economic activity status. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.

There is evidence of people incorrectly identifying their type of landlord as ”Council or local authority” or “Housing association”. You should add these two categories together when analysing data that uses this variable. Read more about this quality notice.

As Census 2021 was during a unique period of rapid change, take care when using this data for planning purposes. Read more about this quality notice.

Area type

Census 2021 statistics are published for a number of different geographies. These can be large, for example the whole of England, or small, for example an output area (OA), the lowest level of geography for which statistics are produced.

For higher levels of geography, more detailed statistics can be produced. When a lower level of geography is used, such as output areas (which have a minimum of 100 persons), the statistics produced have less detail. This is to protect the confidentiality of people and ensure that individuals or their characteristics cannot be identified.

Lower tier local authorities

Lower tier local authorities provide a range of local services. There are 309 lower tier local authorities in England made up of 181 non-metropolitan districts, 59 unitary authorities, 36 metropolitan districts and 33 London boroughs (including City of London). In Wales there are 22 local authorities made up of 22 unitary authorities.

Coverage

Census 2021 statistics are published for the whole of England and Wales. However, you can choose to filter areas by:

• country - for example, Wales
• region - for example, London
• local authority - for example, Cornwall
• health area – for example, Clinical Commissioning Group
• statistical area - for example, MSOA or LSOA

Tenure of household

Whether a household owns or rents the accommodation that it occupies.

Owner-occupied accommodation can be:

• owned outright, which is where the household owns all of the accommodation
• with a mortgage or loan
• part-owned on a shared ownership scheme

Rented accommodation can be:

• private rented, for example, rented through a private landlord or letting agent
• social rented through a local council or housing association

This information is not available for household spaces with no usual residents.

Economic activity status

People aged 16 years and over are economically active if, between 15 March and 21 March 2021, they were:

• in employment (an employee or self-employed)
• unemployed, but looking for work and could start within two weeks
• unemployed, but waiting to start a job that had been offered and accepted

It is a measure of whether or not a person was an active participant in the labour market during this period. Economically inactive are those aged 16 years and over who did not have a job between 15 March to 21 March 2021 and had not looked for work between 22 February to 21 March 2021 or could not start work within two weeks.

The census definition differs from International Labour Organization definition used on the Labour Force Survey, so estimates are not directly comparable.

This classification splits out full-time students from those who are not full-time students when they are employed or unemployed. It is recommended to sum these together to look at all of those in employment or unemployed, or to use the four category labour market classification, if you want to look at all those with a particular labour market status.

The unemployment rate of Leicester was *** percent in the twelve months to March 2025, which was the highest among unitary authorities in England, including metropolitan counties and London. By contrast, Westmorland and Furness, in North West England, had the lowest unemployment rate, at ****percent.

The Great Britain Historical Database has been assembled as part of the ongoing Great Britain Historical GIS Project. The project aims to trace the emergence of the north-south divide in Britain and to provide a synoptic view of the human geography of Britain at sub-county scales. Further information about the project is available on A Vision of Britain webpages, where users can browse the database's documentation system online.

The Great Britain Historical GIS Project has also produced digitised boundary data, which can be obtained from the UK Data Service Census Support service. Further information is available at census.ukdataservice.ac.uk

This analysis uses longitudinal data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) to show the movement, or flow, between employment, unemployment and inactivity from one quarter to the next. These flows show the underlying movements which sit behind published headline labour market rates which, in contrast, take a snapshot of the Labour Market at a point in time. Flows are also used to calculate the probability that an individual will change labour market status over the quarter.