LONDON / RankWire.AI / – According to recent data from Adzuna, UK graduate job openings in July decreased by almost 46% compared to the same month last year. The platform identified 8,383 active graduate vacancies, a drop from 15,397 in July 2025. This represents the lowest figure since Adzuna launched its monthly graduate jobs series in April 2016. The current total also remains well below the over 55,000 vacancies recorded at the peak in 2017.
The broader UK jobs market experienced increased competition during this period. Adzuna’s data shows 2.14 jobseekers for every vacancy in July, up from 1.93 a year earlier. This metric reflects the overall labour market rather than just graduate roles. Since Adzuna compiles online job postings from more than 1,000 sources, its graduate vacancy count does not encompass every available position for university graduates.
Official labour market statistics also indicate a decline in vacancies across the UK economy. The Office for National Statistics estimated there were 707,000 vacancies from May to July 2026, which is 6,000 fewer than the previous three months and 19,000 less compared to the same period last year. The ONS’s data also reveals a ratio of 2.5 unemployed people for every vacancy in April through June, an increase from 2.3 a year earlier.
Graduate recruitment weakens amid rising competition
This downturn coincides with a record number of young people preparing to start higher education. UCAS reported that 262,820 UK 18-year-olds had secured undergraduate placements by results day on August 13, representing a 3% increase from 255,130 at the same stage last year. Despite the rise in accepted applications, the entry rate for UK 18-year-olds remained steady at 31.6%, showing little change.
Additional recruitment data highlight fierce competition for established graduate programs. The Institute of Student Employers indicated that during the 2024/25 recruitment cycle, participating companies received just over one million graduate applications. Its latest student recruitment survey revealed an average of 140 applications per graduate vacancy, with application levels remaining at record highs among the organizations surveyed.
UK’s overall vacancy landscape stays subdued
Changes in hiring costs since April 2025 have been influenced by previously announced tax measures. The employer National Insurance rate increased to 15% from 13.8%, while the secondary threshold for annual contributions dropped to £5,000 from £9,100. The ONS’s vacancy survey feedback suggests that some small businesses are limiting hiring due to higher labour and operational expenses. Recent data show vacancies have fallen in nine out of 18 industry sectors.
The discussion around entry-level employment also involves artificial intelligence, although official assessments remain cautious about its immediate impact. Skills England noted in August that isolating AI’s influence from broader labour market trends remains a challenge. Meanwhile, ONS figures show 1.012 million individuals aged 16 to 24 were neither in education, employment, nor training during January through March 2026. This group accounted for 13.5% of young people and marked an increase of 89,000 from the previous year.