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Posted around 7 months ago •
In the quarter to January 2026, employment and unemployment levels both rose, the inactivity rate fell, vacancies were broadly unchanged, and regular wage growth slowed to its lowest level in five years. Youth unemployment also remained high. Therefore, this month’s findings have reinforced messages from recent releases, with labour market cooling increasingly being driven by firms’ hesitation to hire and create jobs
In the quarter to August 2026, employment rose, unemployment and inactivity decreased, and regular wage growth held firm. The youth unemployment rate dropped below 16% but remained significantly higher than the headline adult rate. Meanwhile, vacancies fell to their lowest level in five years in the quarter to September.
In the quarter to July 2026, headline employment and unemployment held broadly as they were, and economic inactivity fell. Meanwhile, youth unemployment climbed to 16.4%, vacancies fell again, and regular pay growth held steady.
In the quarter to June 2026, employment rose, headline unemployment fell and economic inactivity was broadly unchanged. Meanwhile, youth unemployment remained above 16%, vacancies fell again, and regular pay growth showed signs of resilience.