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Macro EconomyMedium•23 February 2026•

1 min read

UK Job Vacancies Hit Post-Pandemic Low as Unemployment Climbs to 5.2%

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Key Facts

1Advertised vacancies dropped by 3% in January to 695,000, the lowest level since January 2021.

2UK unemployment rose to a five-year high of 5.2%.

The UK labor market experienced a significant slowdown in early 2026, with advertised job vacancies falling below the 700,000 threshold for the first time in five years. According to data from Adzuna, vacancies dropped by 3% in January to reach 695,000, the lowest level recorded since January 2021. Simultaneously, the unemployment rate climbed to a five-year high of 5.2%, signaling a cooling economy and reduced recruitment activity. The decline in labor demand has also led to moderated wage growth, with graduates and younger workers bearing the brunt of the market shift. These weakening labor indicators are likely to influence the Bank of England's future policy decisions, potentially increasing the case for dovish measures. Market analysts suggest that the combination of rising unemployment and falling vacancies poses a bearish outlook for the British Pound (GBP).