UK unemployment rate estimated 4.6% in Feb-Apr 2025: ONS

Both estimates are above estimates of a year ago, and up in the latest quarter.

The UK economic inactivity rate for people aged 16 to 64 was estimated at 21.3 per cent during the quarter. This is below estimates of a year ago, and down in the latest quarter.

Estimates for payrolled employees in the United Kingdom decreased by 55,000 (0.2 per cent) between March and April this year and fell by 115,000 (0.4 per cent) between April last year and April this year.

Payrolled employees fell by 78,000 (0.3 per cent) quarter on quarter (QoQ) and by 51,000 (0.2 per cent) year on year (YoY) in February-April 2025.

The early estimate of payrolled employees for May 2025 decreased by 109,000 (0.4 per cent) month on month (MoM) and decreased by 274,000 (0.9 per cent) YoY to 30.2 million.

The estimated number of vacancies in the country fell by 63,000 QoQ to 736,000 between March and May this year. This was the 35th consecutive quarterly decline, with quarterly falls seen in 14 out of the 18 industry sectors. Vacancies were 59,000 below their January-March 2020 level.

Feedback from ONS’ vacancy survey suggests some firms may not be recruiting new workers or replacing workers who have left, an ONS release said.

Employment in the public sector was estimated at 6.15 million in March 2025—an increase of 7,000 (0.1 per cent) compared with December 2024, and an increase of 35,000 (0.6 per cent) YoY.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)