In a plot twist that surprises absolutely no one who has ever applied for a job recently, the number of graduate vacancies in the UK has nearly halved in the past year. Jobs website Adzuna reports just 8,383 graduate vacancies in July, down from 15,397 a year earlier - the lowest level since they started keeping track in 2016, and a far cry from the glory days of 2017 when over 55,800 roles were listed. That's more than six times the current number, in case you needed the extra sting.

Meanwhile, competition among job seekers has intensified, with an average of 2.14 applicants per vacancy in July, up from 1.93 a year ago. Businesses blame the usual suspects: higher employer national insurance and minimum wage hikes, which make hiring, particularly of junior staff, more expensive. Because nothing says 'invest in the future' like slashing entry-level jobs when costs go up.

Adzuna co-founder Andrew Hunter noted that employers 'still haven't found a reason to open up hiring' for recent graduates. Perhaps they're too busy teaching AI to reject applications. Official figures show UK youth unemployment (ages 16-24) hit 16.2% in the three months to March 2026, with over one million young people now classified as Neet (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). That's a lot of time for Netflix and existential dread.

Young people have told BBC News they've applied for hundreds of jobs without a single response, and they're increasingly frustrated by employers using AI to screen applications. Because nothing says 'we value your potential' like a chatbot deciding your fate.

Former government minister Alan Milburn is leading a major review of the youth unemployment crisis, having previously warned that entry-level jobs are shrinking, as are the part-time roles traditionally filled by students. In a rare glimmer of hope, Adzuna found vacancies in travel, teaching, and construction have risen recently - but healthcare, nursing, hospitality, and logistics have seen declines.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has tweaked public contract rules to require bidders to demonstrate how they'll create jobs and training opportunities. A government spokesperson said there are 253,000 more people in work than a year ago, and unemployment is falling. They added that a £2.5bn youth employment package will deliver 'almost one million opportunities to earn or learn.' Let's hope those opportunities don't require a time machine.

In related news, today's 20-somethings really do have it worse, and PwC's boss says graduate jobs are under threat from AI. But hey, at least there are more travel jobs. So pack your bags, grads - you might as well see the world while you wait for a job that may never come.