UK Unemployment Rate Below Expectations as Pay Growth Accelerates

The UK unemployment rate remained steady at 4.4% in December.

Alliance News 18 February, 2025 | 10:06AM
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The UK unemployment rate was lower than expected in the final three months of 2024, and pay growth picked, numbers on Tuesday showed.

The Office for National Statistics said the UK unemployment rate in the three months to December was 4.4%, where it stood in the three months to November.

The unemployment rate had been expected to pick up to 4.5%, according to FXStreet cited consensus.

The Office for National Statistics noted the UK unemployment rate increased from 4.3% in the three months to September, and from 3.9% in the final three months of 2023.

UK Job Vacancies Drop, But Remain Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

“The estimated number of vacancies in the UK decreased by 9,000 on the quarter to 819,000 in November 2024 to January 2025. Vacancies decreased on the quarter for the 31st consecutive period but are still above pre-pandemic levels,” the Office for National Statistics said.

Pay Growth Picked up Speed in December

Average yearly growth for regular earnings, so excluding bonuses, was 6.0% in December alone.

For the three months to December, average regular pay growth was 5.9%, accelerating from 5.6% in the three months to November. Total pay growth was 6.0%, picking up speed from 5.5%. The total pay outcome beat the FXStreet cited consensus of 5.9%, while regular pay growth was in line.


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