Graduate Job Vacancies Drop by Nearly 50% in UK

The UK’s graduate job vacancies have plummeted nearly 50% in the past year, signaling a challenging job market for young professionals.

The number of graduate jobs in the United Kingdom has fallen by almost half over the past year as employers increasingly turn to artificial intelligence and work to manage rising costs. New figures from job site Adzuna reveal a troubling trend, with only 8,383 graduate vacancies listed in July, compared to 15,397 during the same period last year.

As competition intensifies among job seekers at all levels, the data shows there are currently an average of 2.14 job seekers for each available position, up from 1.93 a year ago. Employers have cited increasing expenses associated with hiring, such as national insurance contributions and rising minimum wage, particularly affecting entry-level roles.

Adzuna reported that this decline marks the lowest number of graduate vacancies since it began recording such data in 2016. The firm highlighted a peak for graduate roles back in 2017, when over 55,800 positions were available on its site—more than six times the number currently listed.

Andrew Hunter, the co-founder of Adzuna, expressed concern, stating, “Employers still haven’t found a reason to open up hiring for recent graduates.” The youth unemployment rate in the UK—covering individuals aged 16 to 24—stood at 16.2% for the three months ending in March 2026. Moreover, the number of young people classified as NEET (not in education, employment, or training) has now exceeded one million.

Young job seekers have shared frustrations about applying for hundreds of positions without receiving responses, adding that the increasing use of AI by employers to screen applications exacerbates their difficulties. Former government minister Alan Milburn is leading a comprehensive review addressing the youth unemployment crisis, emphasizing the shrinking number of entry-level jobs, as well as a decrease in part-time opportunities traditionally filled by teenagers and students.

Despite these troubling statistics, Adzuna’s data indicates that certain sectors—such as travel, teaching, and construction—have seen a rise in job vacancies recently. In contrast, areas like healthcare, nursing, hospitality, and logistics have experienced a decline.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s recent adjustments to public contract requirements now mandate that companies bidding for contracts must present plans to create jobs and training opportunities. In response to the latest labor statistics, a government spokesperson mentioned, “The latest figures show there are 253,000 more people in work than at this time last year, with unemployment continuing to decrease.”

The government is determined to boost opportunities for young people with a £2.5 billion youth employment package aimed at creating nearly one million chances to earn or learn.

Small businesses have indicated that high labor and operating costs contribute to their decision to reduce hiring. According to a UK statistics body, this trend poses significant challenges for young people’s entry into the job market.

As the generation in their 20s confronts tough hurdles at the outset of adulthood, analysis for the BBC suggests they face a more difficult launch than any generation in nearly half a century.

Ministers remain committed to addressing the critical number of young people without access to education, employment, or training.