Economy · Jobs & pay · 17 October 2026
UK unemployment rate stood at 5.0% in first quarter of 2026
The UK harmonised unemployment rate for Q1 2026 was 5.0%, according to House of Commons Library. The figure places the UK above Germany and the US, but below France. The next data update is scheduled for 10 November 2026.
House of Commons Library has published figures showing the UK harmonised unemployment rate for Q1 2026 was 5.0%. This rate was higher than Germany's 3.9% and the US's 4.3%, but lower than France's 8.2%. The Eurozone recorded a rate of 6.4%, while the G7 average stood at 4.6%.
Data for Q2 2026 has not yet been published for the UK. However, figures released alongside the announcement indicate that Finland had the highest unemployment rate among OECD members at 10.5%, while Japan recorded the lowest at 2.5%. Spain's rate in that period was 10.2%. The Eurozone rate for Q2 2026 was 6.4%, and the G7 rate was 4.5%.
Youth unemployment in the UK was 16.2% in Q2 2026. This figure was lower than in Sweden, where it reached 24.9%, and Spain, where it was 23.8%. Other countries with youth unemployment over 20% included Finland at 23.6%, Chile at 23.3%, Estonia at 23.0%, and France at 21.5%.
The next source update is scheduled for 10 November 2026. The announcement provides specific percentage figures for the listed countries and does not include further qualitative analysis or forecasts beyond the stated dates and rates.
Written by StreetOwl from House of Commons Library’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
← Back to StreetOwl