Labour Market

Labour Market headlines

Unemployment rate (young people)

14.6%Young people aged 16-24, unemployed as at Dec-Feb 2025 (seasonally adjusted)

Economic inactivity rate (young people)

40.2%Young people aged 16-24, economically inactive as at Dec-Feb 2025 (seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment rate (all working age)

4.5%People aged 16-64, unemployed as at Dec-Feb 2025 (seasonally adjusted)

Economic inactivity rate (all working age)

21.4%People aged 16-64, economically inactive as at Dec-Feb 2025 (seasonally adjusted)

About the data on this page

These visualisations are driven by data from the ONS Labour Force Survey, published by the Office for National Statistics.

This data is derived from the Labour Market Statistics time series dataset.

Long-term unemployment for young people (seasonally adjusted)

The long-term unemployment rate for 16-24 year-olds, showing the proportion of unemployed people who have been unemployed for between six and 12 months, and the proportion who have been unemployed for more than 12 months.

Last 3 years

Long-term unemployment rate for young people (16-24) over the last 3 years

12 months
6 to 12 months
Rolling 3-month periodJun-Aug2022Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2023Jun-Aug2023Dec-Feb2024Jun-Aug2024Rate (%)01015202530355Mar-May 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 7.6%Jun-Aug 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 11.4%Sep-Nov 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 11.8%Dec-Feb 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 11.3%Mar-May 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 19.0%Jun-Aug 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 19.0%Dec-Feb 2024 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.5%Mar-May 2024 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.4%Jun-Aug 2024 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.5%Sep-Nov 2024 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.6%Dec-Feb 2025 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.9%Mar-May 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 14.5%Jun-Aug 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 15.7%Sep-Nov 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 14.5%Dec-Feb 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 11.9%Mar-May 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 13.1%Jun-Aug 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 12.6%Sep-Nov 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 14.6%Dec-Feb 2024 Proportion over 12 months: 17.3%Mar-May 2024 Proportion over 12 months: 16.6%Jun-Aug 2024 Proportion over 12 months: 16.5%Sep-Nov 2024 Proportion over 12 months: 16.8%Dec-Feb 2025 Proportion over 12 months: 19.1%
Since 2000

Long-term unemployment rate for young people (16-24) since 2000

12 months
6 to 12 months
Rolling 3-month periodDec-Feb2000Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2005Dec-Feb2010Dec-Feb2015Dec-Feb2020Rate (%)010152025305Dec-Feb 2000 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.1%Mar-May 2000 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.3%Jun-Aug 2000 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.7%Sep-Nov 2000 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.7%Dec-Feb 2001 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.1%Mar-May 2001 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.5%Jun-Aug 2001 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.0%Sep-Nov 2001 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.7%Dec-Feb 2002 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.2%Mar-May 2002 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.3%Jun-Aug 2002 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.4%Sep-Nov 2002 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.2%Dec-Feb 2003 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.2%Mar-May 2003 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.2%Jun-Aug 2003 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 11.9%Sep-Nov 2003 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.5%Dec-Feb 2004 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.1%Mar-May 2004 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.2%Jun-Aug 2004 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.2%Sep-Nov 2004 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.1%Dec-Feb 2005 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.2%Mar-May 2005 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.7%Jun-Aug 2005 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.9%Sep-Nov 2005 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.5%Dec-Feb 2006 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.4%Mar-May 2006 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.4%Jun-Aug 2006 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.1%Sep-Nov 2006 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.7%Dec-Feb 2007 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.8%Mar-May 2007 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.9%Jun-Aug 2007 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.3%Sep-Nov 2007 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.5%Dec-Feb 2008 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.8%Mar-May 2008 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.0%Jun-Aug 2008 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.8%Sep-Nov 2008 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.2%Dec-Feb 2009 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.9%Mar-May 2009 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.4%Jun-Aug 2009 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 21.5%Sep-Nov 2009 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.7%Dec-Feb 2010 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.9%Mar-May 2010 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 21.6%Jun-Aug 2010 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.4%Sep-Nov 2010 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.1%Dec-Feb 2011 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.2%Mar-May 2011 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.8%Jun-Aug 2011 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.8%Sep-Nov 2011 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.0%Dec-Feb 2012 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 21.3%Mar-May 2012 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 21.7%Jun-Aug 2012 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.2%Sep-Nov 2012 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.1%Dec-Feb 2013 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.2%Mar-May 2013 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.2%Jun-Aug 2013 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.3%Sep-Nov 2013 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.0%Dec-Feb 2014 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.4%Mar-May 2014 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.1%Jun-Aug 2014 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.6%Sep-Nov 2014 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.1%Dec-Feb 2015 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.8%Mar-May 2015 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.6%Jun-Aug 2015 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.3%Sep-Nov 2015 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.4%Dec-Feb 2016 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.2%Mar-May 2016 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.5%Jun-Aug 2016 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.3%Sep-Nov 2016 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.0%Dec-Feb 2017 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.7%Mar-May 2017 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.6%Jun-Aug 2017 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.5%Sep-Nov 2017 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.5%Dec-Feb 2018 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.2%Mar-May 2018 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.3%Jun-Aug 2018 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.3%Sep-Nov 2018 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.7%Dec-Feb 2019 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.7%Mar-May 2019 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.2%Jun-Aug 2019 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.6%Sep-Nov 2019 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.5%Dec-Feb 2020 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.1%Mar-May 2020 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.4%Jun-Aug 2020 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.4%Sep-Nov 2020 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.2%Dec-Feb 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 21.1%Mar-May 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.6%Jun-Aug 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.4%Sep-Nov 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.1%Dec-Feb 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.6%Mar-May 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 7.6%Jun-Aug 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 11.4%Sep-Nov 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 11.8%Dec-Feb 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 11.3%Mar-May 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 19.0%Jun-Aug 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 19.0%Dec-Feb 2024 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.5%Mar-May 2024 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.4%Jun-Aug 2024 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.5%Sep-Nov 2024 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.6%Dec-Feb 2025 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.9%Dec-Feb 2000 Proportion over 12 months: 11.6%Mar-May 2000 Proportion over 12 months: 12.8%Jun-Aug 2000 Proportion over 12 months: 13.9%Sep-Nov 2000 Proportion over 12 months: 11.4%Dec-Feb 2001 Proportion over 12 months: 11.3%Mar-May 2001 Proportion over 12 months: 12.5%Jun-Aug 2001 Proportion over 12 months: 12.8%Sep-Nov 2001 Proportion over 12 months: 10.9%Dec-Feb 2002 Proportion over 12 months: 11.4%Mar-May 2002 Proportion over 12 months: 9.7%Jun-Aug 2002 Proportion over 12 months: 9.8%Sep-Nov 2002 Proportion over 12 months: 10.9%Dec-Feb 2003 Proportion over 12 months: 10.0%Mar-May 2003 Proportion over 12 months: 11.2%Jun-Aug 2003 Proportion over 12 months: 12.2%Sep-Nov 2003 Proportion over 12 months: 11.8%Dec-Feb 2004 Proportion over 12 months: 11.5%Mar-May 2004 Proportion over 12 months: 10.7%Jun-Aug 2004 Proportion over 12 months: 11.2%Sep-Nov 2004 Proportion over 12 months: 11.5%Dec-Feb 2005 Proportion over 12 months: 10.9%Mar-May 2005 Proportion over 12 months: 12.0%Jun-Aug 2005 Proportion over 12 months: 12.9%Sep-Nov 2005 Proportion over 12 months: 13.6%Dec-Feb 2006 Proportion over 12 months: 12.2%Mar-May 2006 Proportion over 12 months: 13.4%Jun-Aug 2006 Proportion over 12 months: 14.3%Sep-Nov 2006 Proportion over 12 months: 13.2%Dec-Feb 2007 Proportion over 12 months: 14.6%Mar-May 2007 Proportion over 12 months: 14.5%Jun-Aug 2007 Proportion over 12 months: 15.9%Sep-Nov 2007 Proportion over 12 months: 16.0%Dec-Feb 2008 Proportion over 12 months: 15.5%Mar-May 2008 Proportion over 12 months: 17.4%Jun-Aug 2008 Proportion over 12 months: 16.3%Sep-Nov 2008 Proportion over 12 months: 14.6%Dec-Feb 2009 Proportion over 12 months: 15.2%Mar-May 2009 Proportion over 12 months: 16.8%Jun-Aug 2009 Proportion over 12 months: 19.3%Sep-Nov 2009 Proportion over 12 months: 20.2%Dec-Feb 2010 Proportion over 12 months: 22.0%Mar-May 2010 Proportion over 12 months: 22.9%Jun-Aug 2010 Proportion over 12 months: 24.7%Sep-Nov 2010 Proportion over 12 months: 24.1%Dec-Feb 2011 Proportion over 12 months: 23.4%Mar-May 2011 Proportion over 12 months: 22.1%Jun-Aug 2011 Proportion over 12 months: 25.7%Sep-Nov 2011 Proportion over 12 months: 23.6%Dec-Feb 2012 Proportion over 12 months: 25.3%Mar-May 2012 Proportion over 12 months: 26.3%Jun-Aug 2012 Proportion over 12 months: 28.3%Sep-Nov 2012 Proportion over 12 months: 27.5%Dec-Feb 2013 Proportion over 12 months: 28.4%Mar-May 2013 Proportion over 12 months: 29.1%Jun-Aug 2013 Proportion over 12 months: 28.2%Sep-Nov 2013 Proportion over 12 months: 27.4%Dec-Feb 2014 Proportion over 12 months: 27.5%Mar-May 2014 Proportion over 12 months: 26.7%Jun-Aug 2014 Proportion over 12 months: 28.8%Sep-Nov 2014 Proportion over 12 months: 26.6%Dec-Feb 2015 Proportion over 12 months: 26.8%Mar-May 2015 Proportion over 12 months: 21.6%Jun-Aug 2015 Proportion over 12 months: 20.4%Sep-Nov 2015 Proportion over 12 months: 20.4%Dec-Feb 2016 Proportion over 12 months: 17.6%Mar-May 2016 Proportion over 12 months: 16.5%Jun-Aug 2016 Proportion over 12 months: 17.0%Sep-Nov 2016 Proportion over 12 months: 16.8%Dec-Feb 2017 Proportion over 12 months: 14.7%Mar-May 2017 Proportion over 12 months: 15.8%Jun-Aug 2017 Proportion over 12 months: 15.7%Sep-Nov 2017 Proportion over 12 months: 16.0%Dec-Feb 2018 Proportion over 12 months: 13.5%Mar-May 2018 Proportion over 12 months: 15.5%Jun-Aug 2018 Proportion over 12 months: 15.0%Sep-Nov 2018 Proportion over 12 months: 14.9%Dec-Feb 2019 Proportion over 12 months: 14.1%Mar-May 2019 Proportion over 12 months: 15.4%Jun-Aug 2019 Proportion over 12 months: 16.3%Sep-Nov 2019 Proportion over 12 months: 12.2%Dec-Feb 2020 Proportion over 12 months: 13.5%Mar-May 2020 Proportion over 12 months: 11.6%Jun-Aug 2020 Proportion over 12 months: 14.4%Sep-Nov 2020 Proportion over 12 months: 16.7%Dec-Feb 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 18.0%Mar-May 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 19.9%Jun-Aug 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 19.8%Sep-Nov 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 21.6%Dec-Feb 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 19.4%Mar-May 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 14.5%Jun-Aug 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 15.7%Sep-Nov 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 14.5%Dec-Feb 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 11.9%Mar-May 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 13.1%Jun-Aug 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 12.6%Sep-Nov 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 14.6%Dec-Feb 2024 Proportion over 12 months: 17.3%Mar-May 2024 Proportion over 12 months: 16.6%Jun-Aug 2024 Proportion over 12 months: 16.5%Sep-Nov 2024 Proportion over 12 months: 16.8%Dec-Feb 2025 Proportion over 12 months: 19.1%

Labour market status (seasonally adjusted)

These visualisations show the labour market status of young people aged 16-24.

Not in full-time education

Labour market status for young people (16-24) not in full-time education

In employment
Economically inactive
Overall unemployment
Rolling 3-month periodJun-Aug2022Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2023Jun-Aug2023Dec-Feb2024Jun-Aug2024Rate (%)01020304050607080Mar-May 2022: 9.0%Jun-Aug 2022: 7.6%Sep-Nov 2022: 10.4%Dec-Feb 2023: 10.9%Mar-May 2023: 10.5%Jun-Aug 2023: 12.0%Sep-Nov 2023: 11.0%Dec-Feb 2024: 11.4%Mar-May 2024: 12.4%Jun-Aug 2024: 12.5%Sep-Nov 2024: 12.7%Dec-Feb 2025: 13.3%Mar-May 2022: 17.6%Jun-Aug 2022: 16.9%Sep-Nov 2022: 17.8%Dec-Feb 2023: 18.6%Mar-May 2023: 18.4%Jun-Aug 2023: 20.4%Sep-Nov 2023: 19.2%Dec-Feb 2024: 20.0%Mar-May 2024: 19.7%Jun-Aug 2024: 20.3%Sep-Nov 2024: 20.8%Dec-Feb 2025: 20.1%Mar-May 2022: 74.9%Jun-Aug 2022: 76.8%Sep-Nov 2022: 73.7%Dec-Feb 2023: 72.5%Mar-May 2023: 73.1%Jun-Aug 2023: 70.1%Sep-Nov 2023: 71.9%Dec-Feb 2024: 70.9%Mar-May 2024: 70.4%Jun-Aug 2024: 69.8%Sep-Nov 2024: 69.1%Dec-Feb 2025: 69.3%
In full-time education

Labour market status for young people (16-24) in full-time education

In employment
Economically inactive
Overall unemployment
Rolling 3-month periodJun-Aug2022Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2023Jun-Aug2023Dec-Feb2024Jun-Aug2024Rate (%)01020304050607080Mar-May 2022: 13.8%Jun-Aug 2022: 13.9%Sep-Nov 2022: 13.8%Dec-Feb 2023: 13.2%Mar-May 2023: 13.6%Jun-Aug 2023: 15.5%Sep-Nov 2023: 16.1%Dec-Feb 2024: 17.0%Mar-May 2024: 17.6%Jun-Aug 2024: 17.1%Sep-Nov 2024: 19.4%Dec-Feb 2025: 18.1%Mar-May 2022: 65.8%Jun-Aug 2022: 65.5%Sep-Nov 2022: 64.4%Dec-Feb 2023: 63.6%Mar-May 2023: 63.0%Jun-Aug 2023: 65.3%Sep-Nov 2023: 65.8%Dec-Feb 2024: 67.7%Mar-May 2024: 64.9%Jun-Aug 2024: 65.7%Sep-Nov 2024: 66.1%Dec-Feb 2025: 64.6%Mar-May 2022: 29.5%Jun-Aug 2022: 29.7%Sep-Nov 2022: 30.7%Dec-Feb 2023: 31.6%Mar-May 2023: 32.0%Jun-Aug 2023: 29.3%Sep-Nov 2023: 28.7%Dec-Feb 2024: 26.8%Mar-May 2024: 29.0%Jun-Aug 2024: 28.4%Sep-Nov 2024: 27.4%Dec-Feb 2025: 29.0%
All young people

Labour market status for young people (16-24)

In employment
Economically inactive
Overall unemployment
Rolling 3-month periodJun-Aug2022Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2023Jun-Aug2023Dec-Feb2024Jun-Aug2024Rate (%)01020304050607080Mar-May 2022: 10.3%Jun-Aug 2022: 9.3%Sep-Nov 2022: 11.3%Dec-Feb 2023: 11.5%Mar-May 2023: 11.3%Jun-Aug 2023: 13.0%Sep-Nov 2023: 12.3%Dec-Feb 2024: 12.8%Mar-May 2024: 13.8%Jun-Aug 2024: 13.7%Sep-Nov 2024: 14.4%Dec-Feb 2025: 14.6%Mar-May 2022: 39.9%Jun-Aug 2022: 39.9%Sep-Nov 2022: 39.6%Dec-Feb 2023: 38.7%Mar-May 2023: 38.9%Jun-Aug 2023: 41.3%Sep-Nov 2023: 40.7%Dec-Feb 2024: 42.2%Mar-May 2024: 40.6%Jun-Aug 2024: 40.9%Sep-Nov 2024: 41.0%Dec-Feb 2025: 40.2%Mar-May 2022: 53.9%Jun-Aug 2022: 54.5%Sep-Nov 2022: 53.5%Dec-Feb 2023: 54.2%Mar-May 2023: 54.2%Jun-Aug 2023: 51.1%Sep-Nov 2023: 51.9%Dec-Feb 2024: 50.4%Mar-May 2024: 51.2%Jun-Aug 2024: 51.0%Sep-Nov 2024: 50.5%Dec-Feb 2025: 51.1%

The following charts compare labour market status for young people not in full-time education aged 16-17 and the group aged 18-24.

16-17

Labour market status for young people not in full-time education aged 16 to 17

In employment
Economically inactive
Overall unemployment
Rolling 3-month periodJun-Aug2022Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2023Jun-Aug2023Dec-Feb2024Jun-Aug2024Rate (%)020406080Mar-May 2022: 29.6%Jun-Aug 2022: 23.2%Sep-Nov 2022: 23.3%Dec-Feb 2023: 24.1%Mar-May 2023: 22.8%Jun-Aug 2023: 17.3%Sep-Nov 2023: 13.3%Dec-Feb 2024: 28.0%Mar-May 2024: 34.2%Jun-Aug 2024: 22.2%Sep-Nov 2024: 33.9%Dec-Feb 2025: 34.5%Mar-May 2022: 46.3%Jun-Aug 2022: 42.0%Sep-Nov 2022: 55.5%Dec-Feb 2023: 54.3%Mar-May 2023: 51.6%Jun-Aug 2023: 56.3%Sep-Nov 2023: 48.9%Dec-Feb 2024: 47.9%Mar-May 2024: 45.5%Jun-Aug 2024: 49.0%Sep-Nov 2024: 51.1%Dec-Feb 2025: 52.2%Mar-May 2022: 37.8%Jun-Aug 2022: 44.6%Sep-Nov 2022: 34.1%Dec-Feb 2023: 34.7%Mar-May 2023: 37.4%Jun-Aug 2023: 36.1%Sep-Nov 2023: 44.3%Dec-Feb 2024: 37.5%Mar-May 2024: 35.8%Jun-Aug 2024: 39.7%Sep-Nov 2024: 32.3%Dec-Feb 2025: 31.3%
18-24

Labour market status for young people not in full-time education aged 18 to 24

In employment
Economically inactive
Overall unemployment
Rolling 3-month periodJun-Aug2022Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2023Jun-Aug2023Dec-Feb2024Jun-Aug2024Rate (%)020406080Mar-May 2022: 8.3%Jun-Aug 2022: 7.1%Sep-Nov 2022: 10.0%Dec-Feb 2023: 10.5%Mar-May 2023: 10.1%Jun-Aug 2023: 11.8%Sep-Nov 2023: 10.9%Dec-Feb 2024: 10.8%Mar-May 2024: 11.6%Jun-Aug 2024: 12.1%Sep-Nov 2024: 11.9%Dec-Feb 2025: 12.5%Mar-May 2022: 16.1%Jun-Aug 2022: 15.6%Sep-Nov 2022: 15.7%Dec-Feb 2023: 16.5%Mar-May 2023: 16.6%Jun-Aug 2023: 18.3%Sep-Nov 2023: 17.4%Dec-Feb 2024: 18.3%Mar-May 2024: 18.3%Jun-Aug 2024: 18.5%Sep-Nov 2024: 18.9%Dec-Feb 2025: 18.2%Mar-May 2022: 76.9%Jun-Aug 2022: 78.4%Sep-Nov 2022: 75.8%Dec-Feb 2023: 74.7%Mar-May 2023: 74.9%Jun-Aug 2023: 72.0%Sep-Nov 2023: 73.6%Dec-Feb 2024: 72.9%Mar-May 2024: 72.3%Jun-Aug 2024: 71.6%Sep-Nov 2024: 71.5%Dec-Feb 2025: 71.6%
16-24

Labour market status for young people (16-24) not in full-time education

In employment
Economically inactive
Overall unemployment
Rolling 3-month periodJun-Aug2022Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2023Jun-Aug2023Dec-Feb2024Jun-Aug2024Rate (%)020406080Mar-May 2022: 9.0%Jun-Aug 2022: 7.6%Sep-Nov 2022: 10.4%Dec-Feb 2023: 10.9%Mar-May 2023: 10.5%Jun-Aug 2023: 12.0%Sep-Nov 2023: 11.0%Dec-Feb 2024: 11.4%Mar-May 2024: 12.4%Jun-Aug 2024: 12.5%Sep-Nov 2024: 12.7%Dec-Feb 2025: 13.3%Mar-May 2022: 17.6%Jun-Aug 2022: 16.9%Sep-Nov 2022: 17.8%Dec-Feb 2023: 18.6%Mar-May 2023: 18.4%Jun-Aug 2023: 20.4%Sep-Nov 2023: 19.2%Dec-Feb 2024: 20.0%Mar-May 2024: 19.7%Jun-Aug 2024: 20.3%Sep-Nov 2024: 20.8%Dec-Feb 2025: 20.1%Mar-May 2022: 74.9%Jun-Aug 2022: 76.8%Sep-Nov 2022: 73.7%Dec-Feb 2023: 72.5%Mar-May 2023: 73.1%Jun-Aug 2023: 70.1%Sep-Nov 2023: 71.9%Dec-Feb 2024: 70.9%Mar-May 2024: 70.4%Jun-Aug 2024: 69.8%Sep-Nov 2024: 69.1%Dec-Feb 2025: 69.3%

The following charts compare labour market status for men and women aged 16 to 24 not in full-time education.

Women

Labour market status for women aged 16 to 24 not in full-time education

In employment
Economically inactive
Overall unemployment
Rolling 3-month periodJun-Aug2022Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2023Jun-Aug2023Dec-Feb2024Jun-Aug2024Rate (%)020406080Mar-May 2022: 6.7%Jun-Aug 2022: 6.3%Sep-Nov 2022: 8.2%Dec-Feb 2023: 8.7%Mar-May 2023: 6.9%Jun-Aug 2023: 8.4%Sep-Nov 2023: 7.9%Dec-Feb 2024: 8.5%Mar-May 2024: 8.8%Jun-Aug 2024: 9.8%Sep-Nov 2024: 9.6%Dec-Feb 2025: 10.9%Mar-May 2022: 18.9%Jun-Aug 2022: 17.7%Sep-Nov 2022: 19.0%Dec-Feb 2023: 21.4%Mar-May 2023: 21.9%Jun-Aug 2023: 24.1%Sep-Nov 2023: 21.3%Dec-Feb 2024: 20.1%Mar-May 2024: 21.3%Jun-Aug 2024: 21.8%Sep-Nov 2024: 23.5%Dec-Feb 2025: 22.4%Mar-May 2022: 75.6%Jun-Aug 2022: 77.1%Sep-Nov 2022: 74.3%Dec-Feb 2023: 71.8%Mar-May 2023: 72.7%Jun-Aug 2023: 69.5%Sep-Nov 2023: 72.5%Dec-Feb 2024: 73.1%Mar-May 2024: 71.7%Jun-Aug 2024: 70.6%Sep-Nov 2024: 69.2%Dec-Feb 2025: 69.1%
Men

Labour market status for men aged 16 to 24 not in full-time education

In employment
Economically inactive
Overall unemployment
Rolling 3-month periodJun-Aug2022Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2023Jun-Aug2023Dec-Feb2024Jun-Aug2024Rate (%)020406080Mar-May 2022: 11.0%Jun-Aug 2022: 8.9%Sep-Nov 2022: 12.4%Dec-Feb 2023: 12.9%Mar-May 2023: 13.5%Jun-Aug 2023: 15.0%Sep-Nov 2023: 13.5%Dec-Feb 2024: 13.9%Mar-May 2024: 15.4%Jun-Aug 2024: 14.8%Sep-Nov 2024: 15.3%Dec-Feb 2025: 15.3%Mar-May 2022: 16.4%Jun-Aug 2022: 16.1%Sep-Nov 2022: 16.6%Dec-Feb 2023: 16.1%Mar-May 2023: 15.2%Jun-Aug 2023: 17.0%Sep-Nov 2023: 17.4%Dec-Feb 2024: 19.8%Mar-May 2024: 18.2%Jun-Aug 2024: 18.9%Sep-Nov 2024: 18.4%Dec-Feb 2025: 18.0%Mar-May 2022: 74.3%Jun-Aug 2022: 76.5%Sep-Nov 2022: 73.0%Dec-Feb 2023: 73.2%Mar-May 2023: 73.4%Jun-Aug 2023: 70.6%Sep-Nov 2023: 71.4%Dec-Feb 2024: 69.1%Mar-May 2024: 69.2%Jun-Aug 2024: 69.1%Sep-Nov 2024: 69.1%Dec-Feb 2025: 69.5%
All young people

Labour market status for young people (16-24) not in full-time education

In employment
Economically inactive
Overall unemployment
Rolling 3-month periodJun-Aug2022Dec-Feb2025Dec-Feb2023Jun-Aug2023Dec-Feb2024Jun-Aug2024Rate (%)020406080Mar-May 2022: 9.0%Jun-Aug 2022: 7.6%Sep-Nov 2022: 10.4%Dec-Feb 2023: 10.9%Mar-May 2023: 10.5%Jun-Aug 2023: 12.0%Sep-Nov 2023: 11.0%Dec-Feb 2024: 11.4%Mar-May 2024: 12.4%Jun-Aug 2024: 12.5%Sep-Nov 2024: 12.7%Dec-Feb 2025: 13.3%Mar-May 2022: 17.6%Jun-Aug 2022: 16.9%Sep-Nov 2022: 17.8%Dec-Feb 2023: 18.6%Mar-May 2023: 18.4%Jun-Aug 2023: 20.4%Sep-Nov 2023: 19.2%Dec-Feb 2024: 20.0%Mar-May 2024: 19.7%Jun-Aug 2024: 20.3%Sep-Nov 2024: 20.8%Dec-Feb 2025: 20.1%Mar-May 2022: 74.9%Jun-Aug 2022: 76.8%Sep-Nov 2022: 73.7%Dec-Feb 2023: 72.5%Mar-May 2023: 73.1%Jun-Aug 2023: 70.1%Sep-Nov 2023: 71.9%Dec-Feb 2024: 70.9%Mar-May 2024: 70.4%Jun-Aug 2024: 69.8%Sep-Nov 2024: 69.1%Dec-Feb 2025: 69.3%

Data tables

Long term unemployment

6 to 12 months

Seasonally adjusted long-term unemployment figures (between 6 and 12 months) for young people aged 16-24 not in full-time education for the last 3 years. This data is derived from UNEM01 SA.

Rolling 3-monthly periodPopulation unemployed for between 6 and 12 months (000s)Population unemployed (000s)Proportion of unemployment between 6 and 12 months
Mar-May 2022334337.6%
Jun-Aug 20224539611.4%
Sep-Nov 20225748511.8%
Dec-Feb 20235750311.3%
Mar-May 20239449619.0%
Jun-Aug 202310454719.0%
Sep-Nov 2023528%
Dec-Feb 20248953916.5%
Mar-May 20249859816.4%
Jun-Aug 20248059413.5%
Sep-Nov 202411062617.6%
Dec-Feb 20259664314.9%
over 12 months

Seasonally adjusted long-term unemployment figures (over 12 months) for young people aged 16-24 not in full-time education for the last 3 years. This data is derived from UNEM01 SA.

Rolling 3-monthly periodPopulation unemployed for more than 12 months (000s)Population unemployed (000s)Proportion of unemployment over 12 months
Mar-May 20226343314.5%
Jun-Aug 20226239615.7%
Sep-Nov 20225648514.5%
Dec-Feb 20236050311.9%
Mar-May 20235449613.1%
Jun-Aug 20235854712.6%
Sep-Nov 20236352814.6%
Dec-Feb 20249353917.3%
Mar-May 20249959816.6%
Jun-Aug 20249859416.5%
Sep-Nov 202410562616.8%
Dec-Feb 202512364319.1%

Labour market status

Not in full-time education

This table presents seasonally adjusted rates of employment, unemployment and economic inactivity for young people aged 16-24 not in full-time education, over the last 3 years. This data is derived from A06 SA.

Rolling 3-monthly periodEmployed rateUnemployed rateEconomic inactivity rate
Mar-May 202274.9%9%17.6%
Jun-Aug 202276.8%7.6%16.9%
Sep-Nov 202273.7%10.4%17.8%
Dec-Feb 202372.5%10.9%18.6%
Mar-May 202373.1%10.5%18.4%
Jun-Aug 202370.1%12%20.4%
Sep-Nov 202371.9%11%19.2%
Dec-Feb 202470.9%11.4%20.0%
Mar-May 202470.4%12.4%19.7%
Jun-Aug 202469.8%12.5%20.3%
Sep-Nov 202469.1%12.7%20.8%
Dec-Feb 202569.3%13.3%20.1%
In full-time education

This table presents seasonally adjusted rates of employment, unemployment and economic inactivity for young people aged 16-24 who are in full-time education, over the last 3 years. This data is derived from A06 SA.

Rolling 3-monthly periodEmployed rateUnemployed rateEconomic inactivity rate
Mar-May 202229.5%13.8%65.8%
Jun-Aug 202229.7%13.9%65.5%
Sep-Nov 202230.7%13.8%64.4%
Dec-Feb 202331.6%13.2%63.6%
Mar-May 202332.0%13.6%63.0%
Jun-Aug 202329.3%15.5%65.3%
Sep-Nov 202328.7%16.1%65.8%
Dec-Feb 202426.8%17.0%67.7%
Mar-May 202429.0%17.6%64.9%
Jun-Aug 202428.4%17.1%65.7%
Sep-Nov 202427.4%19.4%66.1%
Dec-Feb 202529.0%18.1%64.6%
Women NFTE

This table presents seasonally adjusted rates of employment, unemployment and economic inactivity for women not in full-time education.

Rolling 3-monthly periodEmployed rateUnemployed rateEconomic inactivity rate
Mar-May 202275.6%6.7%18.9%
Jun-Aug 202277.1%6.3%17.7%
Sep-Nov 202274.3%8.2%19.0%
Dec-Feb 202371.8%8.7%21.4%
Mar-May 202372.7%6.9%21.9%
Jun-Aug 202369.5%8.4%24.1%
Sep-Nov 202372.5%7.9%21.3%
Dec-Feb 202473.1%8.5%20.1%
Mar-May 202471.7%8.8%21.3%
Jun-Aug 202470.6%9.8%21.8%
Sep-Nov 202469.2%9.6%23.5%
Dec-Feb 202569.1%10.9%22.4%
Men NFTE

This table presents seasonally adjusted rates of employment, unemployment and economic inactivity for men not in full-time education.

Rolling 3-monthly periodEmployed rateUnemployed rateEconomic inactivity rate
Mar-May 202274.3%11%16.4%
Jun-Aug 202276.5%8.9%16.1%
Sep-Nov 202273.0%12.4%16.6%
Dec-Feb 202373.2%12.9%16.1%
Mar-May 202373.4%13.5%15.2%
Jun-Aug 202370.6%15%17.0%
Sep-Nov 202371.4%13.5%17.4%
Dec-Feb 202469.1%13.9%19.8%
Mar-May 202469.2%15.4%18.2%
Jun-Aug 202469.1%14.8%18.9%
Sep-Nov 202469.1%15.3%18.4%
Dec-Feb 202569.5%15.3%18.0%
16-17 year olds NFTE

This table presents seasonally adjusted rates of employment, unemployment and economic inactivity for 16-17 year olds not in full-time education.

Rolling 3-monthly periodEmployed rateUnemployed rateEconomic inactivity rate
Mar-May 202237.8%29.6%46.3%
Jun-Aug 202244.6%23.2%42.0%
Sep-Nov 202234.1%23.3%55.5%
Dec-Feb 202334.7%24.1%54.3%
Mar-May 202337.4%22.8%51.6%
Jun-Aug 202336.1%17.3%56.3%
Sep-Nov 202344.3%13.3%48.9%
Dec-Feb 202437.5%28%47.9%
Mar-May 202435.8%34.2%45.5%
Jun-Aug 202439.7%22.2%49.0%
Sep-Nov 202432.3%33.9%51.1%
Dec-Feb 202531.3%34.5%52.2%
18-24 year olds NFTE

This table presents seasonally adjusted rates of employment, unemployment and economic inactivity for 18-24 year olds not in full-time education.

Rolling 3-monthly periodEmployed rateUnemployed rateEconomic inactivity rate
Mar-May 202276.9%8.3%16.1%
Jun-Aug 202278.4%7.1%15.6%
Sep-Nov 202275.8%10%15.7%
Dec-Feb 202374.7%10.5%16.5%
Mar-May 202374.9%10.1%16.6%
Jun-Aug 202372.0%11.8%18.3%
Sep-Nov 202373.6%10.9%17.4%
Dec-Feb 202472.9%10.8%18.3%
Mar-May 202472.3%11.6%18.3%
Jun-Aug 202471.6%12.1%18.5%
Sep-Nov 202471.5%11.9%18.9%
Dec-Feb 202571.6%12.5%18.2%