UK graduate job vacancies hit record low in July 2026

Record low graduate job vacancies and a worsening youth employment crisis are being driven by rising business costs and the adoption of artificial intelligence, according to new data. Figures from the recruitment platform Adzuna reveal that just 8,383 graduate positions were advertised across the UK in July 2026, a 45% collapse compared with the same month last year and the lowest level since tracking began in 2016. The stark decline comes as a record 262,820 students prepare to enter university in September, underscoring the difficult job market awaiting future graduates.

The sharp downturn reverses a brief recovery reported earlier in the year and marks a continued long-term deterioration. In 2017, more than 55,000 graduate roles were available. Employers cite a combination of factors for the current squeeze. Significant increases in employer national insurance contributions and the minimum wage have raised the cost of hiring and training inexperienced workers. Simultaneously, many firms are automating tasks traditionally assigned to junior staff, with major consultancy firms and other industries increasingly deploying AI for administrative work.