LONDON / RankWire.AI / – In July, the number of graduate job vacancies in the UK declined by almost 46% compared to the same month last year, according to recent data from Adzuna. The platform reported 8,383 live graduate positions, a drop from 15,397 in July 2025. This represents the lowest figure since Adzuna initiated its monthly graduate jobs series in April 2016. The current total also remains well below the peak of over 55,000 vacancies recorded in 2017.
Meanwhile, competition for jobs across the broader UK labour market has intensified during the same period. Adzuna’s data shows there were 2.14 jobseekers per vacancy in July, compared to 1.93 a year earlier. This statistic reflects the wider labour market rather than just graduate roles. Adzuna compiles online job advertisements from more than 1,000 sources, so its graduate vacancy count does not capture every available position for university graduates.
Official statistics also indicate a decrease in vacancies across the UK economy. The Office for National Statistics estimated 707,000 vacancies from May to July 2026. This was 6,000 fewer than the previous quarter and 19,000 less than the same period a year earlier. Additionally, the ONS reported 2.5 unemployed people per vacancy from April to June, up from 2.3 a year earlier.
Graduate recruitment weakens amid rising competition
This downturn coincides with a record number of young people preparing for higher education. According to UCAS, 262,820 UK 18-year-olds had secured an undergraduate place by results day on August 13. That figure is 3% higher than the 255,130 accepted at the same stage last year. The entry rate for UK 18-year-olds remained steady at 31.6%, despite the rise in accepted applicants.
Data from recruitment surveys also show fierce competition for established graduate schemes. The Institute of Student Employers reported that during the 2024/25 recruitment cycle, participating employers received just over one million graduate applications. The latest survey indicated an average of 140 applications per graduate vacancy. The organization noted that application volumes continued to reach record levels among the employers surveyed.
Overall UK vacancy market remains subdued
Since April 2025, hiring costs have been affected by previously announced tax measures. 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 reported that some small businesses are limiting recruitment due to higher labour and operating costs. Its latest data shows vacancies declining across nine of 18 industry sectors.
Artificial intelligence remains a focal point in the ongoing debate about entry-level employment, although official assessments remain cautious regarding its precise impact. Skills England stated in August that distinguishing AI’s influence from broader labour market trends remains challenging. Meanwhile, ONS figures reveal that 1.012 million people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment, or training during January through March 2026. This group accounted for 13.5% of young people in that age range and marked an increase of 89,000 from a year earlier.