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Economic inactivity rate

Share of working-age adults who are neither employed nor seeking work — including long-term sick, carers, and early retirees.

21 %
-0.1pp vs 2026-03

As of 2026-04

Historical trend

Trend summary

Economic inactivity rate was 21% in 2026-04, down from 21% in 2026-03.

Trend

  • Over the available record (1971-02–2026-04), it has ranged from 20% in 2020-01 to 26% in 1983-03.
  • The latest reading is below the record average of 23%.

Generated from the published series — describes direction, magnitude and range only, with no editorial judgement or forecasts.

G7 comparison

🇯🇵 Japan
16 %
🇩🇪 Germany
16 %
🇺🇸 United States
20 %
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
21 %

About this indicator

Source
ONS
Update frequency
Monthly
Last updated
3 August 2026
Next update
3 September 2026
Licence
OGL v3
Direction
↓ Falling

Statistics

Latest
21 %
Period high
21 %
Period low
21 %
Period average
21 %