UK unemployment rises to 4.7% in May, highest in 4 years

By Mucahithan Avcioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - British unemployment was at 4.7% in May, up from 4.6% the previous months, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Thursday.

The figure marked the highest rate since May 2021 and exceeded the market forecast of 4.6% for the month.

There were around 1.67 million unemployed people – age 16 and older – in the UK, the office said.

The unemployment rate was above estimates of a year ago, and up in the latest quarter, ONS noted.

The country’s employment rate was at 75.2%, and the number of employed persons was at 34.13 million as of May.

The economic inactivity rate in the country was at 21%.

The ONS also said employees' average earnings rose 5% in the country, slightly above estimates of 4.9%.

Average weekly earnings in May were estimated at £677 ($907.3).