Graduate job vacancies drop by almost 50% in a year, survey suggests

Job site Adzuna reported that the number of graduate vacancies listed on its platform fell to 8,383 in July, a drop of almost 50 % from the 15,397 positions posted at the same time last year, marking the lowest level since the firm began tracking such data in 2016. The decline coincides with a rise in competition among job seekers, with the average number of applicants per vacancy increasing from 1.93 to 2.14 over the year. Co‑founder Andrew Hunter said the figures demonstrate that “employers still haven’t found a reason to open up hiring” for recent graduates, as businesses cite higher employer national insurance contributions and minimum‑wage hikes that make hiring junior staff more costly.

The shrinking pool of graduate roles reflects broader pressures on entry‑level employment in the UK. Official statistics show the youth unemployment rate for 16‑ to 24‑year‑olds stood at 16.2 % in the three months to March 2026, while more than one million young people are classified as NEET (not in education, employment or training). Former minister Alan Milburn, who is leading a major review of the youth unemployment crisis, has warned that both entry‑level and part‑time jobs traditionally taken by teenagers and students are disappearing. Young people surveyed by the BBC have described applying to hundreds of positions without receiving a response and have expressed frustration with the growing use of AI to screen applications.

Despite the overall downturn, Adzuna’s data show modest gains in a few sectors, with recent increases in vacancies for travel, teaching and construction, while healthcare, nursing, hospitality and logistics continue to see fewer openings. The government has responded by tightening public‑contract rules, requiring bidders to outline job‑creation and training plans, and by promoting a £2.5 billion youth employment package that aims to generate almost one million opportunities to earn or learn. A government spokesperson highlighted that 253,000 more people are in work than a year ago and emphasized a commitment to restore opportunities for young people, even as the evidence underscores that today’s twenty‑somethings face a markedly tougher job market.

⚡ Effects Interpreter