LONDON / RankWire.AI / – According to new data from Adzuna, the number of graduate job vacancies in the UK declined by almost 46% in July compared to the same month last year. The platform’s latest figures indicate there were 8,383 live graduate roles, a significant drop from 15,397 in July 2025. This is the lowest figure recorded since Adzuna launched its monthly graduate jobs series in April 2016. The current total is also well below the more than 55,000 vacancies reported at the series peak in 2017.
Meanwhile, competition within the broader UK labour market has also intensified over the same period. Adzuna reports there were 2.14 jobseekers per vacancy in July, up from 1.93 a year earlier. This ratio encompasses the overall employment sector rather than just graduate roles. Since Adzuna compiles online job ads from over 1,000 sources, its graduate vacancy count does not cover every available position for university graduates.
Official labour market statistics similarly reflect a decrease in vacancies across the UK economy. The Office for National Statistics estimated that from May to July 2026, there were 707,000 vacancies. This figure is 6,000 lower than the previous three months and 19,000 below the level recorded a year earlier. The ONS data also shows a rise in the ratio of unemployed people per vacancy, with 2.5 in April through June, compared to 2.3 a year earlier.
Graduate recruitment slows as competition increases
This downturn coincides with a record number of young individuals preparing to pursue higher education. UCAS reported that by August 13 results day, 262,820 UK 18-year-olds had secured undergraduate placements. This figure is 3% higher than the 255,130 registered at the same stage last year. Despite the rise in accepted applicants, the entry rate for UK 18-year-olds remained steady at 31.6%, indicating little change in proportion.
Additional recruitment data highlight fierce competition for established graduate schemes. The Institute of Student Employers noted that during the 2024/25 recruitment cycle, participating organizations received just over one million applications for graduate roles. The latest survey found that employers received an average of 140 applications for each graduate vacancy, with application volumes remaining at record levels among the companies surveyed.
UK’s broader vacancy market continues to be subdued
Changes in hiring costs since April 2025, driven by previously announced tax measures, have also impacted recruitment. The employer National Insurance rate increased to 15% from 13.8%, and the secondary threshold for payments dropped from £9,100 to £5,000 annually. The ONS highlighted that feedback from its vacancy survey indicated some small businesses are limiting their recruitment efforts due to rising labour and operational expenses. The latest data shows vacancies have declined in nine out of 18 industry sectors.
Artificial intelligence remains a topic of discussion regarding its potential influence on entry-level employment, though official evaluations remain cautious about the extent of its impact. Skills England stated in August that distinguishing AI’s effects from broader labour market trends is still a challenge. Meanwhile, ONS figures indicate that 1.012 million people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment, or training during January through March 2026. This number represents 13.5% of young people in that age group, an increase of 89,000 compared to the previous year.