Unemployment climbs to 5.2% as older workers leave the workforce

​​​​​​​Almost 2.8 million working-age adults remain economically inactive due to long-term sickness

New figures from the Office for National Statistics show a dual shift in the labour market.

Joblessness rose to 5.2% in the final quarter of 2025, while overall employment edged down, signalling weaker hiring and reduced workforce participation.

At the same time, 2.79 million working-age adults remain economically inactive due to long-term sickness.

New analysis from Mamedica, a clinic supporting more than 12,000 patients nationwide, suggests chronic and unmanaged health conditions may be intensifying this employment contraction beneath the headline figures.

Another study by Jackson Woodturners, conducted in November 2025, found that 90% of tradespeople experienced stress last year. With 36% going through it weekly.

Sick Note Britain data indicates that nearly one in three workers aged 55–64 have either considered leaving or already left employment due to health problems, highlighting the disproportionate impact on older members of the workforce.

Findings from Sick Note Britain: Health and Work Index 2025 show:

• 28% of 55–64-year-olds have considered leaving or have already left a job due to health problems
• 24% of 55–64-year-olds have reduced working hours because of ill health
• 24% of 45–54-year-olds have left a job due to ongoing health issues
• 8% say a health condition has forced time off work, rising to 15% among women

While weaker hiring explains part of the shift, unemployment data alone does not capture the structural impact of long-term illness.

Reduced employment may reflect not just fewer vacancies, but rising health-linked exits, reduced hours and delayed returns to work among those managing chronic symptoms.

As employment softens and inactivity remains elevated, untreated or poorly managed conditions risk compounding economic pressure, particularly among older workers and women balancing long-term health challenges alongside caring responsibilities.