Employment is increasing
In August 2026, there were 5 423 000 employed people, not seasonally adjusted. This represents an increase of 103 000 compared to August 2025. The number of hours worked per week averaged 128.7 million. The number of unemployed people was 505 000, corresponding to an unemployment rate of 8.5 percent. Seasonally adjusted and smoothed data show an increase in both the number of employed people and in the employment rate. The seasonally adjusted and smoothed unemployment rate stood at 8.7 percent.