LONDON / RankWire.AI / – According to recent 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 reported a total of 8,383 active graduate vacancies, a significant decrease from 15,397 in July 2025. This figure represents the lowest since Adzuna launched its monthly graduate jobs series in April 2016, and it remains well below the peak of over 55,000 recorded in 2017.
The broader UK jobs market also saw increased competition during this period. Data from the Office for National Statistics indicated there were 2.14 jobseekers for every vacancy in July, compared to 1.93 a year earlier. This measure reflects the overall labor market rather than just graduate roles. Since Adzuna compiles online job ads from over 1,000 sources, its graduate vacancy figures do not encompass every available position for university leavers.
Official employment data confirms the decline, with the Office for National Statistics estimating 707,000 vacancies from May to July 2026. This is 6,000 fewer than in the previous three months and 19,000 less than the same period last year. Additionally, the ONS reported a ratio of 2.5 unemployed people per vacancy for April through June, up from 2.3 a year earlier.
Graduate recruitment weakens amid rising competition
This decline coincides with a record number of young people preparing to begin higher education. UCAS announced that 262,820 UK 18-year-olds had secured undergraduate places by results day on August 13, which is 3% higher than the 255,130 registered at the same stage last year. Despite this increase in accepted applicants, the entry rate for UK 18-year-olds remained steady at 31.6%.
Separate data on recruitment patterns reveal fierce competition for well-established graduate schemes. The Institute of Student Employers reported that participating employers received just over one million graduate applications during the 2024/25 recruitment cycle. Its latest student recruitment survey found an average of 140 applications per graduate vacancy. The organization also noted that application levels among its surveyed employers remained at record highs.
UK’s overall vacancy market continues to stay subdued
Since April 2025, hiring costs have been affected by previously announced tax adjustments. The employer National Insurance rate increased to 15% from 13.8%, while the secondary threshold for the year dropped to £5,000 from £9,100. The ONS indicated that feedback from its vacancy survey shows some small businesses are restricting recruitment due to rising labor and operational expenses. Its latest figures show vacancies decreased in nine out of 18 industry sectors.
The role of artificial intelligence in entry-level employment has also gained attention, though official evaluations remain cautious about its precise influence. Skills England noted in August that distinguishing AI’s impact from overall labor market trends remains challenging. Meanwhile, the ONS data revealed that 1.012 million people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment, or training during January through March 2026, accounting for 13.5% of the young population in that age group, marking an increase of 89,000 from the previous year.
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