SHORT SUMMARY

The number of unemployed young people aged 16 to 24 increased slightly in the last quarter.

There was a small increase in youth unemployment in the latest quarter as previously inactive young people returned to the labour market. There was a larger increase in the number of employed young people, with youth employment increasing above pre-pandemic levels.

The youth unemployment rate was 10.9%, compared to an unemployment rate of 3.8% for the whole population.

There were 465,000 young people aged 16 to 24 who were unemployed in February to April 2023, a small increase from the previous quarter and an increase of 10,000 from a year before.¹

Youth unemployment is currently at a historically low level. Youth unemployment fell to 372,000 in June to August 2022 which was the lowest recorded level since records began in 1992. However, since then it has been gradually increasing.

The unemployment rate (the proportion of the economically active population who are unemployed) for 16 to 24 year olds was 10.9%. This is up slightly from 10.8% in the previous quarter and from 10.8% from the year before.

¹ All data are from ONS Labour Market Statistics bulletins and are seasonally adjusted.

Youth Unemployment Statistics

The number of young people in employment in February to April 2023 increased by 22,000 compared to the previous quarter and by 36,000 compared to the previous year.

The number who are economically inactive (not in or looking for work) fell by 20,000 from the previous quarter and also by 20,000 from the previous year to 2.59 million.

The inactivity rate for young people is 37.9%, down from 38.2% in the previous quarter.

For context, it is worth noting that the total population aged 16 to 24 increased by 26,000 in the year to February to April 2023, but it has generally been declining in recent years.

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