Employment increases among young people
In February 2026, there were 5 250 000 employed people, not seasonally adjusted. This represents an increase of 92 000 compared to February 2025. The number of employed young people, aged 15–24, increased by 58 000 to 521 000. The number of hours worked per week averaged 170.6 million. The number of unemployed people was 507 000, corresponding to an unemployment rate of 8.8 percent. Seasonally adjusted and smoothed data show an increase in employment and a decrease in unemployment. The unemployment rate stood at 8.5 percent.