LONDON / RankWire.AI / – According to recent data from Adzuna, the number of graduate vacancies in the UK dropped by almost 46% in July compared to the same month last year. The platform reported a total of 8,383 live graduate positions, down from 15,397 in July 2025. This is the lowest figure recorded since Adzuna initiated its monthly graduate jobs series in April 2016. The current total is significantly below the peak of over 55,000 vacancies noted in 2017.
Over the same period, competition across the broader UK employment landscape also intensified. Adzuna’s data indicates there were 2.14 jobseekers for each vacancy in July, compared to 1.93 a year earlier. This metric reflects the wider labour market rather than solely graduate roles. Since Adzuna compiles online job listings from over 1,000 sources, its count of graduate vacancies does not include every available position for university graduates.
Official labour market statistics align with these trends, revealing a decrease in available jobs nationwide. The Office for National Statistics estimated a total of 707,000 vacancies from May through July 2026, which is 6,000 fewer than the previous three-month period and 19,000 less than the same period last year. Additionally, the ONS reported an unemployment rate of 2.5 unemployed per vacancy from April through June, up from 2.3 a year earlier.
Graduate recruitment weakens amid rising competition
This decline in vacancies occurs alongside a record number of young people preparing for higher education. According to UCAS, 262,820 UK 18-year-olds had secured undergraduate placements by results day on August 13, marking a 3% increase from the 255,130 at the same point last year. Despite this, the admission rate for 18-year-olds remained stable at 31.6%, despite the rise in accepted applicants.
Data from recruitment agencies further highlight the fierce competition for well-established graduate schemes. The Institute of Student Employers reported that participating companies received just over one million applications for graduate positions during the 2024/25 cycle. On average, employers saw 140 applications for each graduate vacancy, with application volumes remaining at record levels among the organizations surveyed.
The UK’s broader vacancy market continues to remain subdued
Since April 2025, hiring costs have been impacted by previously announced tax changes. The employer National Insurance rate increased to 15% from 13.8%, and the secondary threshold decreased to £5,000 from £9,100. According to the ONS, feedback from its vacancy survey indicates some small businesses are limiting recruitment due to higher labour and operating costs. The latest data shows vacancy numbers declined across nine out of 18 industry sectors.
The role of artificial intelligence in the entry-level job market remains a topic of discussion, although official assessments remain cautious about its immediate effects. Skills England noted in August that differentiating AI’s influence from overall labour market trends remains a challenge. Meanwhile, ONS figures reveal that 1.012 million individuals aged 16 to 24 were not engaged in education, employment, or training during January through March 2026, representing 13.5% of that age group and an increase of 89,000 from the previous year.