Hiring slowdown | Graduate job postings fall to lowest mid-year level since 2020

Graduate recruitment has fallen to its weakest level for this point in the year since the height of the pandemic, placing further pressure on young people trying to enter the workforce.

According to Indeed’s Mid-Year UK Labour Market Update, graduate job postings were down around 7% year on year as of July 10th.

The decline comes amid a wider slowdown in recruitment. Job postings across the UK fell 11% between the beginning of 2026 and July 17th, leaving hiring demand 32% below its February 2020 baseline.

Entry routes into work narrow

The figures suggest two important routes into employment are becoming harder to access.