Young adult unemployment

What does this graph show?

This graph shows the unemployment rate among young adults in London and compares it to the overall unemployment rate and to rest of the country.

Young adult unemployment rate in London is at its highest level since at least 1993, which is as far back as the data allows us to look. It has consistently since mid 2000s and is 2 percentage points higher than in 1993 and 10 percentage points higher than the low-point in 2002.

Young adult unemployment is higher in London than in rest of England. Almost 25% (one in four) of economically active young adults in London are unemployed, compared to 20% (one in five) in the rest of the country. Overall unemployment is also higher in London than in rest of the country, but by two percentage points, whereas the difference in young adult unemployment is larger at five percentage points.

Young adult unemployment rate in Inner London is higher and has risen faster than the rate in Outer London, especially since 2008.

Additional information

The rates are expressed as a proportion of those either working or unemployed (together known as "economically active"). This is different from the proportions expressed in the indicator on unemployment rates over time. The reason for doing this is to adjust for the large number of 16 to 24 year olds who are in full-time education. For comparison, we show the overall unemployment rate for the whole population, calculated in a similar way.

To be classed as unemployed, someone must be lacking work but actively seeking it and available to start a job within two weeks. A high proportion of people who lack work would not be classed as unemployed

Data used

Labour Force Survey, ONS

Indicator last updated: 25 April 2012