LONDON / RankWire.AI / – Amidst broader shifts in the UK’s labour landscape, new data from Adzuna reveals that the number of graduate job openings in the UK dropped by almost 46% in July compared to the same month last year. The platform identified 8,383 active graduate vacancies, a significant decrease from 15,397 in July 2025. This figure marks the lowest since Adzuna started its monthly graduate jobs reporting in April 2016. It is also well below the peak of over 55,000 vacancies recorded in 2017.
The broader UK employment market experienced increased competition during this period as well. Adzuna’s data shows there were 2.14 jobseekers per vacancy in July, up from 1.93 a year earlier. This metric pertains to the overall labour market, not just graduate roles. The platform sources online job ads from over 1,000 outlets, meaning its graduate vacancy count does not capture every available position for university graduates.
Official government statistics confirm a reduction in vacancies across the UK. The Office for National Statistics estimated 707,000 openings between May and July 2026, which is 6,000 fewer than the previous quarter and 19,000 less than the same period last year. Additionally, their data shows there were 2.5 unemployed individuals per vacancy from April through June, an increase from 2.3 a year earlier.
Recruitment of graduates slows amid rising competition
This decline coincides with a record number of young people preparing to enter higher education. UCAS reported that by results day on August 13, 262,820 UK 18-year-olds had secured undergraduate places, a 3% increase from the 255,130 accepted at the same stage last year. Despite more students being admitted, the overall entry rate for UK 18-year-olds remained steady at 31.6%.
Separate recruitment figures highlight intense competition for well-established graduate schemes. The Institute of Student Employers noted that during the 2024/25 recruitment cycle, employers received just over one million applications for graduate roles. On average, each vacancy attracted 140 applications, and the organization emphasized that application volumes among participating employers remain at record levels.
The UK’s vacancy market continues to be subdued
Since April 2025, hiring costs have been affected by previously announced tax changes. The employer National Insurance rate increased to 15% from 13.8%, while the secondary threshold dropped to £5,000 from £9,100 annually. The ONS indicated that feedback from its vacancy survey suggests some small businesses are limiting recruitment due to rising labour and operational expenses. Its latest data shows vacancies have decreased in nine out of 18 industry sectors.
The role of artificial intelligence in entry-level employment has gained attention, although official assessments remain cautious about its immediate impact. Skills England mentioned in August that distinguishing AI’s influence from broader labour market trends remains challenging. Meanwhile, ONS data revealed that 1.012 million individuals aged 16 to 24 were neither in education, employment, nor training during January through March 2026. This group represented 13.5% of young people and marked an increase of 89,000 from the previous year.