Labour Market

Labour Market headlines

Unemployment rate (young people)

12.7%Young people aged 16-24, unemployed as at May-Jul 2023 (seasonally adjusted)

Economic inactivity rate (young people)

39.7%Young people aged 16-24, economically inactive as at May-Jul 2023 (seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment rate (all working age)

4.4%People aged 16-64, unemployed as at May-Jul 2023 (seasonally adjusted)

Economic inactivity rate (all working age)

21.1%People aged 16-64, economically inactive as at May-Jul 2023 (seasonally adjusted)

ONS have recently paused the regular publication of the Labour Force Survey that we use to update these visualisations as a result of increased uncertainty in the statistics. See the Nomis news article for more information.

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.

The Office for National Statistics has paused the regular publication of this data, therefore the most recent release of this publication covers up until the 1st June 2023. The data on this page will update once the ONS resumes publication of the Labour Force Survey.

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

6 to 12 months
12 months
Rolling 3-month periodNov-Jan2021May-Jul2023May-Jul2021Nov-Jan2022May-Jul2022Nov-Jan2023Rate (%)01015202530355Aug-Oct 2020 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.1%Nov-Jan 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 19.6%Feb-Apr 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.1%May-Jul 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.2%Aug-Oct 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.6%Nov-Jan 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.8%Feb-Apr 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 7.7%May-Jul 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.1%Aug-Oct 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 10.4%Nov-Jan 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 9.0%Feb-Apr 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.4%May-Jul 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.7%Aug-Oct 2020 Proportion over 12 months: 16.4%Nov-Jan 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 16.7%Feb-Apr 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 20.5%May-Jul 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 18.5%Aug-Oct 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 19.2%Nov-Jan 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 19.9%Feb-Apr 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 16.0%May-Jul 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 17.7%Aug-Oct 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 13.5%Nov-Jan 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 12.2%Feb-Apr 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 12.9%May-Jul 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 11.6%
Since 2000

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

6 to 12 months
12 months
Rolling 3-month periodMay-Jul2003May-Jul2008May-Jul2013May-Jul2018May-Jul2023Rate (%)010152025305Feb-Apr 2000 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.1%May-Jul 2000 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.9%Aug-Oct 2000 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.7%Nov-Jan 2001 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.2%Feb-Apr 2001 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.0%May-Jul 2001 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.1%Aug-Oct 2001 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.3%Nov-Jan 2002 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.5%Feb-Apr 2002 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.7%May-Jul 2002 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.7%Aug-Oct 2002 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.5%Nov-Jan 2003 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.1%Feb-Apr 2003 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.1%May-Jul 2003 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.2%Aug-Oct 2003 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.5%Nov-Jan 2004 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.3%Feb-Apr 2004 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.5%May-Jul 2004 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.8%Aug-Oct 2004 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.4%Nov-Jan 2005 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.8%Feb-Apr 2005 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.7%May-Jul 2005 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.0%Aug-Oct 2005 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.0%Nov-Jan 2006 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.1%Feb-Apr 2006 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.1%May-Jul 2006 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.0%Aug-Oct 2006 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.9%Nov-Jan 2007 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.3%Feb-Apr 2007 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.0%May-Jul 2007 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.5%Aug-Oct 2007 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.6%Nov-Jan 2008 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.0%Feb-Apr 2008 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.4%May-Jul 2008 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.4%Aug-Oct 2008 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.0%Nov-Jan 2009 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.2%Feb-Apr 2009 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.6%May-Jul 2009 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.6%Aug-Oct 2009 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.4%Nov-Jan 2010 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.4%Feb-Apr 2010 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 21.6%May-Jul 2010 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.3%Aug-Oct 2010 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.2%Nov-Jan 2011 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.4%Feb-Apr 2011 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.1%May-Jul 2011 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.8%Aug-Oct 2011 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 19.7%Nov-Jan 2012 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.4%Feb-Apr 2012 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 22.3%May-Jul 2012 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.1%Aug-Oct 2012 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.3%Nov-Jan 2013 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.4%Feb-Apr 2013 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.5%May-Jul 2013 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.3%Aug-Oct 2013 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.7%Nov-Jan 2014 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.5%Feb-Apr 2014 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.5%May-Jul 2014 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.4%Aug-Oct 2014 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.7%Nov-Jan 2015 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.7%Feb-Apr 2015 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.9%May-Jul 2015 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.3%Aug-Oct 2015 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.2%Nov-Jan 2016 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.7%Feb-Apr 2016 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.1%May-Jul 2016 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 13.3%Aug-Oct 2016 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.1%Nov-Jan 2017 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.1%Feb-Apr 2017 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.6%May-Jul 2017 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.0%Aug-Oct 2017 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.3%Nov-Jan 2018 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.9%Feb-Apr 2018 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.4%May-Jul 2018 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.7%Aug-Oct 2018 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.8%Nov-Jan 2019 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.4%Feb-Apr 2019 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.6%May-Jul 2019 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.8%Aug-Oct 2019 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.0%Nov-Jan 2020 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.0%Feb-Apr 2020 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 15.8%May-Jul 2020 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.7%Aug-Oct 2020 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.1%Nov-Jan 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 19.6%Feb-Apr 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 20.1%May-Jul 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 18.2%Aug-Oct 2021 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 14.6%Nov-Jan 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.8%Feb-Apr 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 7.7%May-Jul 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 12.1%Aug-Oct 2022 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 10.4%Nov-Jan 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 9.0%Feb-Apr 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 17.4%May-Jul 2023 Proportion between 6 and 12 months: 16.7%Feb-Apr 2000 Proportion over 12 months: 11.9%May-Jul 2000 Proportion over 12 months: 14.5%Aug-Oct 2000 Proportion over 12 months: 12.5%Nov-Jan 2001 Proportion over 12 months: 10.7%Feb-Apr 2001 Proportion over 12 months: 12.2%May-Jul 2001 Proportion over 12 months: 12.9%Aug-Oct 2001 Proportion over 12 months: 10.9%Nov-Jan 2002 Proportion over 12 months: 11.8%Feb-Apr 2002 Proportion over 12 months: 10.2%May-Jul 2002 Proportion over 12 months: 9.5%Aug-Oct 2002 Proportion over 12 months: 10.6%Nov-Jan 2003 Proportion over 12 months: 10.2%Feb-Apr 2003 Proportion over 12 months: 10.4%May-Jul 2003 Proportion over 12 months: 11.0%Aug-Oct 2003 Proportion over 12 months: 12.8%Nov-Jan 2004 Proportion over 12 months: 12.3%Feb-Apr 2004 Proportion over 12 months: 11.5%May-Jul 2004 Proportion over 12 months: 10.6%Aug-Oct 2004 Proportion over 12 months: 11.3%Nov-Jan 2005 Proportion over 12 months: 10.8%Feb-Apr 2005 Proportion over 12 months: 11.8%May-Jul 2005 Proportion over 12 months: 12.5%Aug-Oct 2005 Proportion over 12 months: 12.4%Nov-Jan 2006 Proportion over 12 months: 12.6%Feb-Apr 2006 Proportion over 12 months: 12.8%May-Jul 2006 Proportion over 12 months: 14.9%Aug-Oct 2006 Proportion over 12 months: 13.8%Nov-Jan 2007 Proportion over 12 months: 13.0%Feb-Apr 2007 Proportion over 12 months: 15.0%May-Jul 2007 Proportion over 12 months: 15.2%Aug-Oct 2007 Proportion over 12 months: 15.6%Nov-Jan 2008 Proportion over 12 months: 16.2%Feb-Apr 2008 Proportion over 12 months: 17.1%May-Jul 2008 Proportion over 12 months: 15.9%Aug-Oct 2008 Proportion over 12 months: 14.1%Nov-Jan 2009 Proportion over 12 months: 14.5%Feb-Apr 2009 Proportion over 12 months: 17.3%May-Jul 2009 Proportion over 12 months: 18.5%Aug-Oct 2009 Proportion over 12 months: 20.1%Nov-Jan 2010 Proportion over 12 months: 21.4%Feb-Apr 2010 Proportion over 12 months: 23.0%May-Jul 2010 Proportion over 12 months: 23.2%Aug-Oct 2010 Proportion over 12 months: 24.1%Nov-Jan 2011 Proportion over 12 months: 23.7%Feb-Apr 2011 Proportion over 12 months: 23.4%May-Jul 2011 Proportion over 12 months: 25.0%Aug-Oct 2011 Proportion over 12 months: 25.0%Nov-Jan 2012 Proportion over 12 months: 24.3%Feb-Apr 2012 Proportion over 12 months: 24.8%May-Jul 2012 Proportion over 12 months: 27.2%Aug-Oct 2012 Proportion over 12 months: 28.1%Nov-Jan 2013 Proportion over 12 months: 28.5%Feb-Apr 2013 Proportion over 12 months: 27.7%May-Jul 2013 Proportion over 12 months: 28.9%Aug-Oct 2013 Proportion over 12 months: 28.2%Nov-Jan 2014 Proportion over 12 months: 26.6%Feb-Apr 2014 Proportion over 12 months: 28.4%May-Jul 2014 Proportion over 12 months: 27.2%Aug-Oct 2014 Proportion over 12 months: 28.9%Nov-Jan 2015 Proportion over 12 months: 26.8%Feb-Apr 2015 Proportion over 12 months: 22.3%May-Jul 2015 Proportion over 12 months: 20.7%Aug-Oct 2015 Proportion over 12 months: 20.3%Nov-Jan 2016 Proportion over 12 months: 19.6%Feb-Apr 2016 Proportion over 12 months: 16.4%May-Jul 2016 Proportion over 12 months: 17.0%Aug-Oct 2016 Proportion over 12 months: 16.4%Nov-Jan 2017 Proportion over 12 months: 16.2%Feb-Apr 2017 Proportion over 12 months: 15.4%May-Jul 2017 Proportion over 12 months: 14.8%Aug-Oct 2017 Proportion over 12 months: 16.2%Nov-Jan 2018 Proportion over 12 months: 14.2%Feb-Apr 2018 Proportion over 12 months: 15.3%May-Jul 2018 Proportion over 12 months: 16.0%Aug-Oct 2018 Proportion over 12 months: 14.7%Nov-Jan 2019 Proportion over 12 months: 15.8%Feb-Apr 2019 Proportion over 12 months: 15.2%May-Jul 2019 Proportion over 12 months: 15.8%Aug-Oct 2019 Proportion over 12 months: 13.7%Nov-Jan 2020 Proportion over 12 months: 14.0%Feb-Apr 2020 Proportion over 12 months: 12.3%May-Jul 2020 Proportion over 12 months: 10.2%Aug-Oct 2020 Proportion over 12 months: 16.4%Nov-Jan 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 16.7%Feb-Apr 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 20.5%May-Jul 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 18.5%Aug-Oct 2021 Proportion over 12 months: 19.2%Nov-Jan 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 19.9%Feb-Apr 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 16.0%May-Jul 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 17.7%Aug-Oct 2022 Proportion over 12 months: 13.5%Nov-Jan 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 12.2%Feb-Apr 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 12.9%May-Jul 2023 Proportion over 12 months: 11.6%

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

Overall unemployment
Economically inactive
In employment
Rolling 3-month periodNov-Jan2021May-Jul2023May-Jul2021Nov-Jan2022May-Jul2022Nov-Jan2023Rate (%)01020304050607080Aug-Oct 2020: 13.2%Nov-Jan 2021: 12.8%Feb-Apr 2021: 11.8%May-Jul 2021: 10.5%Aug-Oct 2021: 9.8%Nov-Jan 2022: 10.1%Feb-Apr 2022: 9.4%May-Jul 2022: 7.6%Aug-Oct 2022: 9.5%Nov-Jan 2023: 9.7%Feb-Apr 2023: 10.2%May-Jul 2023: 12.4%Aug-Oct 2020: 16.6%Nov-Jan 2021: 16.5%Feb-Apr 2021: 15.6%May-Jul 2021: 15.2%Aug-Oct 2021: 17.1%Nov-Jan 2022: 16.7%Feb-Apr 2022: 16.2%May-Jul 2022: 16.7%Aug-Oct 2022: 17.5%Nov-Jan 2023: 18.1%Feb-Apr 2023: 17.8%May-Jul 2023: 18.8%Aug-Oct 2020: 72.5%Nov-Jan 2021: 72.8%Feb-Apr 2021: 74.4%May-Jul 2021: 75.9%Aug-Oct 2021: 74.8%Nov-Jan 2022: 74.9%Feb-Apr 2022: 76.0%May-Jul 2022: 76.9%Aug-Oct 2022: 74.7%Nov-Jan 2023: 74.0%Feb-Apr 2023: 73.8%May-Jul 2023: 71.2%
In full-time education

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

Overall unemployment
Economically inactive
In employment
Rolling 3-month periodNov-Jan2021May-Jul2023May-Jul2021Nov-Jan2022May-Jul2022Nov-Jan2023Rate (%)01020304050607080Aug-Oct 2020: 20.1%Nov-Jan 2021: 20.3%Feb-Apr 2021: 19.1%May-Jul 2021: 19.4%Aug-Oct 2021: 14.9%Nov-Jan 2022: 14.0%Feb-Apr 2022: 14.8%May-Jul 2022: 12.9%Aug-Oct 2022: 13.3%Nov-Jan 2023: 14.1%Feb-Apr 2023: 13.0%May-Jul 2023: 13.7%Aug-Oct 2020: 67.9%Nov-Jan 2021: 69.8%Feb-Apr 2021: 70.9%May-Jul 2021: 67.4%Aug-Oct 2021: 65.5%Nov-Jan 2022: 64.2%Feb-Apr 2022: 64.0%May-Jul 2022: 65.9%Aug-Oct 2022: 65.5%Nov-Jan 2023: 63.2%Feb-Apr 2023: 63.3%May-Jul 2023: 64.0%Aug-Oct 2020: 25.7%Nov-Jan 2021: 24.1%Feb-Apr 2021: 23.5%May-Jul 2021: 26.2%Aug-Oct 2021: 29.4%Nov-Jan 2022: 30.8%Feb-Apr 2022: 30.7%May-Jul 2022: 29.7%Aug-Oct 2022: 29.9%Nov-Jan 2023: 31.6%Feb-Apr 2023: 31.9%May-Jul 2023: 31.1%
All young people

Labour market status for young people (16-24)

Overall unemployment
Economically inactive
In employment
Rolling 3-month periodNov-Jan2021May-Jul2023May-Jul2021Nov-Jan2022May-Jul2022Nov-Jan2023Rate (%)01020304050607080Aug-Oct 2020: 14.9%Nov-Jan 2021: 14.6%Feb-Apr 2021: 13.5%May-Jul 2021: 12.8%Aug-Oct 2021: 11.2%Nov-Jan 2022: 11.2%Feb-Apr 2022: 10.8%May-Jul 2022: 9.1%Aug-Oct 2022: 10.5%Nov-Jan 2023: 10.8%Feb-Apr 2023: 10.9%May-Jul 2023: 12.7%Aug-Oct 2020: 40.3%Nov-Jan 2021: 41.2%Feb-Apr 2021: 41.6%May-Jul 2021: 40.0%Aug-Oct 2021: 39.9%Nov-Jan 2022: 39.2%Feb-Apr 2022: 38.3%May-Jul 2022: 39.8%Aug-Oct 2022: 39.9%Nov-Jan 2023: 38.2%Feb-Apr 2023: 37.9%May-Jul 2023: 39.7%Aug-Oct 2020: 50.8%Nov-Jan 2021: 50.3%Feb-Apr 2021: 50.5%May-Jul 2021: 52.3%Aug-Oct 2021: 53.4%Nov-Jan 2022: 54.0%Feb-Apr 2022: 55.0%May-Jul 2022: 54.7%Aug-Oct 2022: 53.8%Nov-Jan 2023: 55.1%Feb-Apr 2023: 55.3%May-Jul 2023: 52.7%

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

Overall unemployment
Economically inactive
In employment
Rolling 3-month periodNov-Jan2021May-Jul2023May-Jul2021Nov-Jan2022May-Jul2022Nov-Jan2023Rate (%)020406080Aug-Oct 2020: 29.4%Nov-Jan 2021: 22.8%Feb-Apr 2021: 29.9%May-Jul 2021: 30.9%Aug-Oct 2021: 23.3%Nov-Jan 2022: 29.8%Feb-Apr 2022: 28.8%May-Jul 2022: 23.1%Aug-Oct 2022: 17.1%Nov-Jan 2023: 27.3%Feb-Apr 2023: 19.5%May-Jul 2023: 20.7%Aug-Oct 2020: 50.8%Nov-Jan 2021: 51.1%Feb-Apr 2021: 50.5%May-Jul 2021: 48.7%Aug-Oct 2021: 51.0%Nov-Jan 2022: 50.3%Feb-Apr 2022: 47.9%May-Jul 2022: 45.3%Aug-Oct 2022: 55.3%Nov-Jan 2023: 54.4%Feb-Apr 2023: 49.2%May-Jul 2023: 53.0%Aug-Oct 2020: 34.7%Nov-Jan 2021: 37.8%Feb-Apr 2021: 34.7%May-Jul 2021: 35.4%Aug-Oct 2021: 37.5%Nov-Jan 2022: 34.9%Feb-Apr 2022: 37.1%May-Jul 2022: 42.1%Aug-Oct 2022: 37.1%Nov-Jan 2023: 33.2%Feb-Apr 2023: 40.9%May-Jul 2023: 37.2%
18-24

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

Overall unemployment
Economically inactive
In employment
Rolling 3-month periodNov-Jan2021May-Jul2023May-Jul2021Nov-Jan2022May-Jul2022Nov-Jan2023Rate (%)020406080Aug-Oct 2020: 12.7%Nov-Jan 2021: 12.6%Feb-Apr 2021: 11.4%May-Jul 2021: 10.0%Aug-Oct 2021: 9.5%Nov-Jan 2022: 9.5%Feb-Apr 2022: 8.8%May-Jul 2022: 7.1%Aug-Oct 2022: 9.2%Nov-Jan 2023: 9.2%Feb-Apr 2023: 9.9%May-Jul 2023: 12.1%Aug-Oct 2020: 15.1%Nov-Jan 2021: 15.2%Feb-Apr 2021: 14.3%May-Jul 2021: 13.9%Aug-Oct 2021: 15.6%Nov-Jan 2022: 15.0%Feb-Apr 2022: 14.6%May-Jul 2022: 15.3%Aug-Oct 2022: 15.6%Nov-Jan 2023: 16.1%Feb-Apr 2023: 16.0%May-Jul 2023: 17.0%Aug-Oct 2020: 74.1%Nov-Jan 2021: 74.2%Feb-Apr 2021: 76.0%May-Jul 2021: 77.5%Aug-Oct 2021: 76.4%Nov-Jan 2022: 76.9%Feb-Apr 2022: 77.9%May-Jul 2022: 78.7%Aug-Oct 2022: 76.6%Nov-Jan 2023: 76.2%Feb-Apr 2023: 75.7%May-Jul 2023: 72.9%
16-24

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

Overall unemployment
Economically inactive
In employment
Rolling 3-month periodNov-Jan2021May-Jul2023May-Jul2021Nov-Jan2022May-Jul2022Nov-Jan2023Rate (%)020406080Aug-Oct 2020: 13.2%Nov-Jan 2021: 12.8%Feb-Apr 2021: 11.8%May-Jul 2021: 10.5%Aug-Oct 2021: 9.8%Nov-Jan 2022: 10.1%Feb-Apr 2022: 9.4%May-Jul 2022: 7.6%Aug-Oct 2022: 9.5%Nov-Jan 2023: 9.7%Feb-Apr 2023: 10.2%May-Jul 2023: 12.4%Aug-Oct 2020: 16.6%Nov-Jan 2021: 16.5%Feb-Apr 2021: 15.6%May-Jul 2021: 15.2%Aug-Oct 2021: 17.1%Nov-Jan 2022: 16.7%Feb-Apr 2022: 16.2%May-Jul 2022: 16.7%Aug-Oct 2022: 17.5%Nov-Jan 2023: 18.1%Feb-Apr 2023: 17.8%May-Jul 2023: 18.8%Aug-Oct 2020: 72.5%Nov-Jan 2021: 72.8%Feb-Apr 2021: 74.4%May-Jul 2021: 75.9%Aug-Oct 2021: 74.8%Nov-Jan 2022: 74.9%Feb-Apr 2022: 76.0%May-Jul 2022: 76.9%Aug-Oct 2022: 74.7%Nov-Jan 2023: 74.0%Feb-Apr 2023: 73.8%May-Jul 2023: 71.2%

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

Overall unemployment
Economically inactive
In employment
Rolling 3-month periodNov-Jan2021May-Jul2023May-Jul2021Nov-Jan2022May-Jul2022Nov-Jan2023Rate (%)020406080Aug-Oct 2020: 10.2%Nov-Jan 2021: 10.0%Feb-Apr 2021: 9.9%May-Jul 2021: 9.0%Aug-Oct 2021: 8.1%Nov-Jan 2022: 7.8%Feb-Apr 2022: 7.1%May-Jul 2022: 5.5%Aug-Oct 2022: 7.2%Nov-Jan 2023: 7.7%Feb-Apr 2023: 8.3%May-Jul 2023: 7.8%Aug-Oct 2020: 17.5%Nov-Jan 2021: 17.7%Feb-Apr 2021: 16.4%May-Jul 2021: 16.5%Aug-Oct 2021: 17.9%Nov-Jan 2022: 17.6%Feb-Apr 2022: 17.8%May-Jul 2022: 19.5%Aug-Oct 2022: 18.3%Nov-Jan 2023: 20.3%Feb-Apr 2023: 20.7%May-Jul 2023: 23.1%Aug-Oct 2020: 74.1%Nov-Jan 2021: 74.0%Feb-Apr 2021: 75.3%May-Jul 2021: 76.0%Aug-Oct 2021: 75.5%Nov-Jan 2022: 76.0%Feb-Apr 2022: 76.4%May-Jul 2022: 76.0%Aug-Oct 2022: 75.8%Nov-Jan 2023: 73.6%Feb-Apr 2023: 72.7%May-Jul 2023: 70.9%
Men

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

Overall unemployment
Economically inactive
In employment
Rolling 3-month periodNov-Jan2021May-Jul2023May-Jul2021Nov-Jan2022May-Jul2022Nov-Jan2023Rate (%)020406080Aug-Oct 2020: 15.6%Nov-Jan 2021: 15.1%Feb-Apr 2021: 13.4%May-Jul 2021: 11.8%Aug-Oct 2021: 11.3%Nov-Jan 2022: 12.0%Feb-Apr 2022: 11.3%May-Jul 2022: 9.5%Aug-Oct 2022: 11.5%Nov-Jan 2023: 11.4%Feb-Apr 2023: 11.8%May-Jul 2023: 16.0%Aug-Oct 2020: 15.8%Nov-Jan 2021: 15.5%Feb-Apr 2021: 14.9%May-Jul 2021: 14.1%Aug-Oct 2021: 16.4%Nov-Jan 2022: 15.9%Feb-Apr 2022: 14.8%May-Jul 2022: 14.1%Aug-Oct 2022: 16.7%Nov-Jan 2023: 16.1%Feb-Apr 2023: 15.2%May-Jul 2023: 14.9%Aug-Oct 2020: 71.1%Nov-Jan 2021: 71.7%Feb-Apr 2021: 73.7%May-Jul 2021: 75.7%Aug-Oct 2021: 74.2%Nov-Jan 2022: 74.0%Feb-Apr 2022: 75.6%May-Jul 2022: 77.8%Aug-Oct 2022: 73.7%Nov-Jan 2023: 74.4%Feb-Apr 2023: 74.8%May-Jul 2023: 71.4%
All young people

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

Overall unemployment
Economically inactive
In employment
Rolling 3-month periodNov-Jan2021May-Jul2023May-Jul2021Nov-Jan2022May-Jul2022Nov-Jan2023Rate (%)020406080Aug-Oct 2020: 13.2%Nov-Jan 2021: 12.8%Feb-Apr 2021: 11.8%May-Jul 2021: 10.5%Aug-Oct 2021: 9.8%Nov-Jan 2022: 10.1%Feb-Apr 2022: 9.4%May-Jul 2022: 7.6%Aug-Oct 2022: 9.5%Nov-Jan 2023: 9.7%Feb-Apr 2023: 10.2%May-Jul 2023: 12.4%Aug-Oct 2020: 16.6%Nov-Jan 2021: 16.5%Feb-Apr 2021: 15.6%May-Jul 2021: 15.2%Aug-Oct 2021: 17.1%Nov-Jan 2022: 16.7%Feb-Apr 2022: 16.2%May-Jul 2022: 16.7%Aug-Oct 2022: 17.5%Nov-Jan 2023: 18.1%Feb-Apr 2023: 17.8%May-Jul 2023: 18.8%Aug-Oct 2020: 72.5%Nov-Jan 2021: 72.8%Feb-Apr 2021: 74.4%May-Jul 2021: 75.9%Aug-Oct 2021: 74.8%Nov-Jan 2022: 74.9%Feb-Apr 2022: 76.0%May-Jul 2022: 76.9%Aug-Oct 2022: 74.7%Nov-Jan 2023: 74.0%Feb-Apr 2023: 73.8%May-Jul 2023: 71.2%

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
May-Jul 20238852616.7%
Feb-Apr 20238146517.4%
Nov-Jan 2023414589.0%
Aug-Oct 20224543110.4%
May-Jul 20224537212.1%
Feb-Apr 2022354557.7%
Nov-Jan 20225946212.8%
Aug-Oct 20216745814.6%
May-Jul 20219552318.2%
Feb-Apr 202110853720.1%
Nov-Jan 202111558619.6%
Aug-Oct 20208660814.1%
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
May-Jul 20236152611.6%
Feb-Apr 20235046512.9%
Nov-Jan 20235645812.2%
Aug-Oct 20225843113.5%
May-Jul 20226637217.7%
Feb-Apr 20227345516.0%
Nov-Jan 20229246219.9%
Aug-Oct 20218845819.2%
May-Jul 20219752318.5%
Feb-Apr 202111053720.5%
Nov-Jan 20219858616.7%
Aug-Oct 202010060816.4%

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
May-Jul 202371.2%12.4%18.8%
Feb-Apr 202373.8%10.2%17.8%
Nov-Jan 202374.0%9.7%18.1%
Aug-Oct 202274.7%9.5%17.5%
May-Jul 202276.9%7.6%16.7%
Feb-Apr 202276.0%9.4%16.2%
Nov-Jan 202274.9%10.1%16.7%
Aug-Oct 202174.8%9.8%17.1%
May-Jul 202175.9%10.5%15.2%
Feb-Apr 202174.4%11.8%15.6%
Nov-Jan 202172.8%12.8%16.5%
Aug-Oct 202072.5%13.2%16.6%
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
May-Jul 202331.1%13.7%64.0%
Feb-Apr 202331.9%13.0%63.3%
Nov-Jan 202331.6%14.1%63.2%
Aug-Oct 202229.9%13.3%65.5%
May-Jul 202229.7%12.9%65.9%
Feb-Apr 202230.7%14.8%64.0%
Nov-Jan 202230.8%14.0%64.2%
Aug-Oct 202129.4%14.9%65.5%
May-Jul 202126.2%19.4%67.4%
Feb-Apr 202123.5%19.1%70.9%
Nov-Jan 202124.1%20.3%69.8%
Aug-Oct 202025.7%20.1%67.9%
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
May-Jul 202370.9%7.8%23.1%
Feb-Apr 202372.7%8.3%20.7%
Nov-Jan 202373.6%7.7%20.3%
Aug-Oct 202275.8%7.2%18.3%
May-Jul 202276.0%5.5%19.5%
Feb-Apr 202276.4%7.1%17.8%
Nov-Jan 202276.0%7.8%17.6%
Aug-Oct 202175.5%8.1%17.9%
May-Jul 202176.0%9%16.5%
Feb-Apr 202175.3%9.9%16.4%
Nov-Jan 202174.0%10%17.7%
Aug-Oct 202074.1%10.2%17.5%
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
May-Jul 202371.4%16%14.9%
Feb-Apr 202374.8%11.8%15.2%
Nov-Jan 202374.4%11.4%16.1%
Aug-Oct 202273.7%11.5%16.7%
May-Jul 202277.8%9.5%14.1%
Feb-Apr 202275.6%11.3%14.8%
Nov-Jan 202274.0%12%15.9%
Aug-Oct 202174.2%11.3%16.4%
May-Jul 202175.7%11.8%14.1%
Feb-Apr 202173.7%13.4%14.9%
Nov-Jan 202171.7%15.1%15.5%
Aug-Oct 202071.1%15.6%15.8%
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
May-Jul 202337.2%20.7%53.0%
Feb-Apr 202340.9%19.5%49.2%
Nov-Jan 202333.2%27.3%54.4%
Aug-Oct 202237.1%17.1%55.3%
May-Jul 202242.1%23.1%45.3%
Feb-Apr 202237.1%28.8%47.9%
Nov-Jan 202234.9%29.8%50.3%
Aug-Oct 202137.5%23.3%51.0%
May-Jul 202135.4%30.9%48.7%
Feb-Apr 202134.7%29.9%50.5%
Nov-Jan 202137.8%22.8%51.1%
Aug-Oct 202034.7%29.4%50.8%
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
May-Jul 202372.9%12.1%17.0%
Feb-Apr 202375.7%9.9%16.0%
Nov-Jan 202376.2%9.2%16.1%
Aug-Oct 202276.6%9.2%15.6%
May-Jul 202278.7%7.1%15.3%
Feb-Apr 202277.9%8.8%14.6%
Nov-Jan 202276.9%9.5%15.0%
Aug-Oct 202176.4%9.5%15.6%
May-Jul 202177.5%10%13.9%
Feb-Apr 202176.0%11.4%14.3%
Nov-Jan 202174.2%12.6%15.2%
Aug-Oct 202074.1%12.7%15.1%