Our take on the latest Labour market statistics (Wed 5 Aug 2026)
Unemployment rate
Participation rate
Employment growth
5.6%
70.7%0.5%In the June 2026 quarter (s.a.)
The highest in over a year
In June from March (s.a.)
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Labour market statistics
More people, more working, more not participating
Wed 6 May 2026
Quarterly
5.3% Unemployment rate eased slightly in the March 2026 quarter
70.4% Participation rate fell slightly0.2% Employment rose in March from December (s.a.)Labour market statistics
Higher participation drives unemployment increase
Wed 4 Feb 2026
Quarterly
5.4% Unemployment rate December 2025 quarter (sa)70.5% Participation rate December 2025 quarter (sa)2.0%pa Labour Cost Index Year to December 2025Labour market statistics
Unemployment rate rises to 5.3%
Wed 5 Nov 2025
Quarterly
Unemployment rate edges up to 5.3%Youth NEET rate rises to 13.2% (annual average)Labour cost growth slows to 2.1%pa