Where is unemployment highest?
The share aged 16 and over looking for work
6.8%
London, May to July 2026
London has the highest rate, 6.8%. Northern Ireland has the lowest, 2.4%.
Up from 6.7% in February to April 2026
- Published
- Next update
- in 9 days
Recent figures may be revised.
Unemployment by area
North East, 5.1%North West, 5.0%Yorkshire and The Humber, 5.2%East Midlands, 4.9%West Midlands, 5.6%East of England, 3.8%London, 6.8%South East, 4.2%South West, 3.9%Wales, 4.3%Scotland, 5.1%Northern Ireland, 2.4%
What this means for people
A higher rate in a nation or region means more people there want a job and do not have one.
Someone is unemployed here if they have no job, have looked in the past four weeks, and could start within two weeks. Someone waiting to start a job they have already been offered is included.
Students, carers, retired people and people who are long-term sick stay outside the rate when they are not looking for work, or could not start within two weeks.
The UK figure uses the same definition. It is the unemployment rate.
Latest figures
| Area | Rate |
|---|---|
| North East | 5.1% |
| North West | 5.0% |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 5.2% |
| East Midlands | 4.9% |
| West Midlands | 5.6% |
| East of England | 3.8% |
| London | 6.8% |
| South East | 4.2% |
| South West | 3.9% |
| Wales | 4.3% |
| Scotland | 5.1% |
| Northern Ireland | 2.4% |
How to read this
This comes from a survey
A nation or region has a smaller sample than the UK, so a small move can be noise. Response fell in 2023, and 2023 and 2024 are more volatile.
Each figure covers three months
Each figure shares two months with the one before it. Compare a nation or region with the three months before, or with a year earlier.
Aged 16 and over
The rate covers people aged 16 and over who are in work or looking for work. It is a different share from people aged 16 to 64.
Not a pay or price ranking
A lower rate does not mean pay is higher or prices are lower. It means fewer people in that local workforce are looking for a job.
Source
- Publisher
- Office for National Statistics
- Official title
- ILO unemployment rate, aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted, by nation and region (Labour Force Survey)
- Series
- Geography
- UK nations and regions
- Status
- Official statistics
Cite this
Office for National Statistics (2026) ILO unemployment rate, aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted, by nation and region (Labour Force Survey), London, May to July 2026 (series YCNI).