Labour Market Statistics: March 2023

The ONS have released the latest Labour Market Overview covering the months of November 2022 – January 2023.

What does this mean for Youth Employment?

The latest labour market overview from the Office for National Statistics reveals that there continues to be nearly one million 16-24 year olds who are not in full time education or employment (workless). The data also shows that the proportion of young people in this ‘workless’ group who are economically inactive now accounts for 69.5% of this group, meaning that nearly 7 in 10 young people who are not in full time education or work are economically inactive.

Headlines for young people aged 16-24

In work:

Employment rate Employment Level
55.1% (↑1.0%) 3,766,000 (↑66,000)

Unemployment:

Unemployment rate Unemployment Level
10.8% (↓0.5%) 458,000  (↓13,000)

Economically inactive:

Economically inactive rate Economically inactive level
38.2% (↓0.8) 2,611,000 (↓55,000)

Education:

In full-time education Not in full-time education
3,048,000 (↓60,000) 3,788,000 (↑58,500)

Worklessness:

Not in full-time education or employment
985,000 (↓16,000)
Economically inactive 

(not in full-time education)

Unemployed
(not in full-time education)
  684,000 (↑4,000) 301,000 (↓20,000)

Headlines for all ages

In work:

Employment rate Employment Level
75.7% (↑0.01%) 16-64 32,829,000(↑25,500)

Unemployment:

Unemployment rate Unemployment Level
3.7% (-) 1,253,000 (↓17,000)

Economically inactive:

Economically inactive rate Economically inactive level
21.3 (↓0.1)16-64 8,858,000 (↓30,000) 16-64

Commentary

The latest labour market overview from the Office for National Statistics continues to show that we have nearly one million 16-24 year olds who are not in education or employment (‘workless’). Concerningly, the data also shows that the proportion of young people in this group who are economically inactive continues to grow, now accounting for 69.5% of all young people not in full time education or work.

As vacancies continue to fall and wages struggle to keep up with inflation young people are facing a difficult labour market landscape ahead. Our Youth Voice Census 2022 revealed that young people do not feel confident that they will find good quality work where they live and do not feel prepared to enter the world of work. The continued labour market challenges and uncertain economic outlook are additional barriers for young people accessing employment.

CEO, Laura-Jane Rawlings:

“We are increasingly concerned by the number of young people who are economically inactive, 7 in 10 young ‘workless’ young people are now economically inactive. This group is most likely to be furthest from the labour market and will need targeted support in an already complex and challenging labour market.

Young people are telling us about their growing anxieties, place based issues and lack of confidence in applying for work or even being able to find good work with employers who want them.

The government must act, young people can not afford for them keep missing the opportunity for support.”

Discover Youth Friendly Employers

Email us at info@youthemployment.org.uk or call 01536 513388.

Early careers strategy support

Youth Employment UK Membership is a strategic step for organisations of all sizes who want support and recognition for their commitment to creating quality early career opportunities in line with Good Youth Employment Standards.

Membership Contact Us

Already a Member?

   

As experts on youth employment and co-founders of the Youth Employment Group, we are ideally placed to understand the complex landscape facing young people, employers and policy makers.