Employment In The UK - May 2023

17th May 2023

January to March 2023 estimates show increases in the employment rate and the unemployment rate compared with the previous quarter (October to December 2022), while the economic inactivity rate decreased.

Total hours worked increased compared with the previous quarter and are just slightly below pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic levels.

The UK employment rate was estimated at 75.9%, 0.2 percentage points higher than the previous quarter and 0.7 percentage points lower than before the coronavirus pandemic (December 2019 to February 2020).

The UK unemployment rate was estimated at 3.9%, 0.1 percentage points higher than the previous quarter and 0.1 percentage points below pre-coronavirus pandemic levels.

The UK economic inactivity rate was estimated at 21.0%, 0.4 percentage points lower than the previous quarter and 0.8 percentage points higher than before the coronavirus pandemic.

During the first year of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a decrease in the employment rate and increases in the economic inactivity and unemployment rates for both men and women. However, the unemployment rates for both men and women have now returned to levels similar to those seen before the coronavirus.

In the latest quarter, the increase in the employment rate, the increase in the unemployment rate, and the decrease in economic inactivity rate were largely driven by men.

Read the full report HERE