Areas where someone is most likely to be unemployed in the UK\” />
Brighton and Hove is the number one area for UK unemployment, with 4.9% of the population unemployed, 0.3% claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, and 0.88 filled job positions per working-age resident.
This is based on a study that analysed three factors to assign each area an index score, revealing those struggling the most to find work. This was compiled by the firm CVMaker, who analysed data on the percentage of people unemployed, the percentage of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, and the number of filled job positions per resident aged 16-64 in each administrative area in the UK.
The company used this data to calculate an index score for each area, with a higher score indicating that the area is more likely to be unemployed.
The top ten areas where people are most likely to be unemployed in the UK
| Rank | Area | Index score (/100) |
| 1 | Brighton and Hove | 69.69 |
| 2 | Camden | 69.55 |
| 3 | Milton Keynes | 68.33 |
| 4 | Tower Hamlets | 66.47 |
| 5 | Manchester | 65.67 |
| 6 | Islington | 64.58 |
| 7 | Birmingham | 64.42 |
| 8 | Southwark | 63.71 |
| 9 | Nottingham | 61.96 |
| 10 | Luton | 61.73 |
Looking at the above table of data, Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, is number one, with an overall index score of 69.69 out of 100. In this area, 0.3% of the population are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, which is 50% higher than the average of 0.2% across the UK. There are also 0.88 filled job positions per working-age resident, and 4.9% of the population is unemployed.
Camden, Greater London, takes second place, with a score of 69.55 out of 100. The percentage of unemployed people in Camden is 6.6%, which is 53% higher than the national average of 4.3%. There are also 2.71 filled job positions per working-age resident, which is 211% higher than the average of 0.87 and the second highest in the UK, making it much more competitive to find a job here.
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, comes third, scoring 68.33 out of 100. In Milton Keynes, there are 1.06 filled jobs per working-age resident, 22% higher than the UK average, and 0.3% of the population claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, which is 50% higher than average.
Tower Hamlets, Greater London, ranks fourth, with an overall score of 66.47. Here, 6.1% of people are unemployed, which is 42% higher than the UK average. There are also 1.46 filled jobs per resident aged 16 to 64.
Manchester, Greater Manchester, is next, with an index score of 65.67 out of 100. In Manchester, 6.4% of the population is unemployed, 49% higher than the national average.
Islington, Greater London, is sixth, with a score of 64.58 out of 100. In this area, there are 1.67 filled jobs per working-age person, almost double the average in the UK. On top of this, 5.5% of people are unemployed.
Birmingham, West Midlands, follows, scoring 64.42 overall. The city has the second-highest rate of unemployment in the UK, at 7.3% of its population. This is a huge 70% above the national average.
Southwark, Greater London, places eighth, with a score of 63.71 out of 100. In Southwark, there are 1.53 filled job positions per working-age resident, 76% above average.
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, is ninth, with an overall index score of 61.96. Here, 6.3% of people are unemployed, which is 47% higher than the UK average.
Luton, Bedfordshire, rounds out the top ten, scoring 61.73 out of 100. Of Luton’s population, 6.9% are unemployed, 60% higher than the national average rate.
The UK’s unemployment rate was 4.3% in 2024, which increased by 5% from 2023, and by 13% from 2022. In 2020, unemployment increased to 4.6%, the highest rate since 2016, due to the pandemic. However, there is geographical variability, with southern areas struggling more to find work, specifically in the London area, suggesting that the job market is much more competitive in this region.
