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UK Unemployment Hits 5.2%, Surpassing Italy's Jobless Rate

3/4/2026

38 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Britain’s unemployment rate reached 5.2% at the end of last year, the highest since the pandemic.
This marks only the second time in more than 30 years that the UK has had worse joblessness than Italy.
Italy’s employment rate rose to 62.6% amid sustained growth and reforms under Giorgia Meloni.
Britain’s job market deteriorated, especially for 16- to 24-year-olds, with unemployment at 16.1%.

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Story summary

Britain’s unemployment rate reached 5.2% at the end of last year, the highest since the pandemic.
This marks only the second time in more than 30 years that the UK has had worse joblessness than Italy.
Italy’s employment rate rose to 62.6% amid sustained growth and reforms under Giorgia Meloni.
Britain’s job market deteriorated, especially for 16- to 24-year-olds, with unemployment at 16.1%.