Latest personnel figures show that male unemployment in the UK is nearing a record high.

One in ten men will be unemployed by 2010, figures from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) reveal, including one in five 18-24 year old males and one in five black men.

The rate of men currently unemployed stands at 9%, which has increased 50% during the recession, compared to 6.9% of women, which has risen by 33%.

It is predicted that this number will rise to 11% in 2010, equating for 1.9 million UK men out of work – although this will be less than the rate of unemployment during the 1980s and 1990s’ recessions, which experienced levels of 12.4% and 12.8% respectively.

Dr John Philpott, CIPD’s Chief Economist, said: “A focus on the relatively hard impact of the recession on men should not detract from the absolute deterioration in the labour market situation facing both sexes. Indeed, it is likely that the relative position of women will itself deteriorate in the coming decade as real cuts in public expenditure have an adverse impact on public sector employment.

“However, it is important to highlight the current plight of men in the labour market, not least because once the impact of recession and a ‘jobs-light’ recovery is fully felt the proportion of UK men in work will probably have fallen to a record low.”

The study, Men not at work, represents CIPD’s analysis of official statistics. For more information about the organisation, visit: http://www.cipd.co.uk