UK graduate job market faces increased competition and declining employment

The UK graduate job market is experiencing increased difficulty, with full-time employment rates for recent graduates declining for two consecutive years. According to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), only 57% of 2023-24 graduates were in full-time work 15 months after completing university, a decrease from 59% the previous year.

Competition for entry-level roles has intensified, with approximately 20% of graduates applying to more than 100 jobs before securing a position—a figure that has nearly doubled year-on-year. Currently, more than 700,000 graduates in the UK are out of work. Nathaniel, founder of Hurdle Community, notes that these trends reflect a tightening market rather than individual failure to plan.