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UK Labour market overview: May 2019

Main points from Office for National Statistics report for January to March 2019

  • The UK employment rate was estimated at 76.1%, higher than for a year earlier (75.6%) and the joint- highest figure on record.

  • The UK unemployment rate was estimated at 3.8%; it has not been lower since October to December 1974.

  • The UK economic inactivity rate was estimated at 20.8%, lower than for a year earlier (21.1%) and close to a record low.

  • Excluding bonuses, average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain were estimated to have increased by 3.3%, before adjusting for inflation, and by 1.5%, after adjusting for inflation, compared with a year earlier.

  • Including bonuses, average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain were estimated to have increased by 3.2%, before adjusting for inflation, and by 1.3%, after adjusting for inflation, compared with a year earlier.

The data in this bulletin come from surveys of households and businesses. It is not possible to survey every household and business each month, so these statistics are estimates based on samples.

Regional labour market statistics in the UK: May 2019