LONDON / RankWire.AI / – According to recent data from Adzuna, the number of graduate job vacancies in the UK decreased by almost 46% in July compared to the same month last year. The platform’s figures show 8,383 active graduate roles, a decline from 15,397 in July 2025. This marks the lowest figure since Adzuna started its monthly graduate jobs report in April 2016. The current total is significantly below the peak of over 55,000 vacancies recorded in 2017.
Across the broader UK employment landscape, competition for jobs has also intensified. Adzuna’s data indicates there were 2.14 jobseekers per vacancy in July, up from 1.93 a year earlier. This statistic covers the general labour market, not just graduate positions, and is based on aggregated online job ads from more than 1,000 sources. Consequently, the graduate figures may not encompass every available role for university leavers.
Official statistics from the Office for National Statistics confirm a decline in vacancies across the UK economy. The ONS estimates 707,000 vacancies for the period of May through July 2026, which is 6,000 fewer than the previous three months and 19,000 less than the same period last year. Additionally, the ONS data from April to June shows a ratio of 2.5 unemployed people for each vacancy, an increase from 2.3 a year earlier.
Recruitment for graduate roles weakens amid rising competition
This decline coincides with a record number of young people preparing to enter higher education. According to UCAS, 262,820 UK 18-year-olds had secured undergraduate places by results day on August 13, representing a 3% increase from 255,130 at the same point last year. Despite the rise in accepted applicants, the entry rate for UK 18-year-olds remained steady at 31.6%, reflecting little change overall.
Data from recruitment surveys further reveal fierce competition for established graduate schemes. The Institute of Student Employers reported that in the 2024/25 recruitment cycle, participating employers received just over one million applications for graduate positions. On average, each vacancy drew 140 applications, and the survey noted that application numbers among covered employers stayed at record levels.
UK’s vacancy landscape continues to be subdued
The cost of hiring has also shifted since April 2025 due to previously announced tax measures. The employer National Insurance rate increased to 15% from 13.8%, while the secondary threshold dropped to £5,000 from £9,100. The ONS’s vacancy survey highlighted that some small businesses are limiting recruitment due to higher labour and operational costs. The latest figures show vacancy numbers decreasing across nine out of 18 industry sectors.
Artificial intelligence remains a topic of discussion regarding its potential impact on entry-level jobs, though official assessments remain cautious. Skills England stated in August that distinguishing AI’s specific influence from broader labour market trends is challenging. Meanwhile, ONS data revealed that during January through March 2026, 1.012 million individuals aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment, or training. This group represented 13.5% of young people in that age bracket, an increase of 89,000 from the previous year.