UK graduate jobs are facing a sharp decline as employers reduce entry-level hiring amid rising costs and the growing use of artificial intelligence. Data from jobs website Adzuna showed that only 8,383 graduate vacancies were listed in July 2026, compared with 15,397 during the same month last year. The number of vacancies has reached its lowest level since 2016. The report also found that competition among jobseekers has increased, with 2.14 jobseekers per vacancy in July, compared with 1.93 a year earlier. Businesses cited higher employer National Insurance contributions and minimum wage increases as factors making junior hiring more expensive. Young jobseekers have also raised concerns about employers increasingly using AI to screen applications. However, vacancies in sectors such as travel, teaching and construction have recently increased. The findings highlight growing challenges for graduates entering the UK job market.
UK Graduate Jobs: Vacancies Fall Nearly 50% in One Year
