Indeed data shows UK postings fell 11% in the first half of 2026 while hiring and wages weakened broadly, even as demand for AI-related skills and software roles continued to rise and conditions worsened for graduates.
The UK labor market is becoming more uneven, with overall job postings falling 11% between the start of 2026 and July 17 and sitting 32% below pre-pandemic levels, according to Indeed data, even as software-development vacancies had previously risen 14% from January 2025 and AI-related roles reached a record 9.4% of all listings at the end of June. Indeed says hiring weakness has spread across retail, manufacturing and many white-collar roles, while demand is concentrating in senior hires and workers with AI-adjacent skill sets. Graduate-targeted listings were down 7% year-on-year as of July 10, summer seasonal roles fell to a four-year low, and advertised wage growth slowed to 3.9% year-on-year in the three months through June, underscoring tougher conditions for younger workers and entry-level candidates.