The UK labor market is coming under severe stress as the number of advertised job applications increases dramatically, reflecting the entrenched economic uncertainty and tough employment climate.
According to data from talent acquisition platform Tribepad, the average number of applications per vacancy reached 48.7 in November—a staggering 286% increase over the same month last year. According to the statistics, candidates send more CVs: the number of applications between September and November increased to more than 4.5 million, which is an increase of 64% year-on-year.
The figures were released just weeks after the Chancellor’s autumn budget, which has prompted businesses to tighten their grip on spending and hiring. Tribepad’s analysis shows a 24% year-on-year drop in roles advertised between September and November, despite a modest seasonal increase as retailers and travel firms ramp up for the holiday season. In November alone there was a sharp dip, with job postings down 43% compared to 2023.
This imbalance—fewer jobs and more applicants—puts employers and candidates on edge. Despite the release of shared recruitment platforms and automated recruitment tools, employers are faced with a flood of applications that can be difficult to manage. Some analysts suggest that this gap may be due to job hunters using artificial intelligence to create more applications more quickly, seeking to increase their chances in the cut-off area.
At that time, the workers felt the pressure. After 28 consecutive months of declining vacancies, opportunities are scarce and competition is fierce. While some sectors, including retail and hospitality, have offered a short fall break, many businesses are putting off permanent hires or shifting resources elsewhere.
Dean Sadler, chief executive of Tribepad, said: “The increase in applications per job to around 50 on average is a clear sign of a highly competitive market. Employers must rethink their hiring strategies not just to manage capacity efficiently, but to ensure fairness and eliminate bias. It is important that, despite the influx of people, the recruitment process remains fair, giving everyone a fair chance.”
As the economic headwinds continue to bear down on businesses and households alike, the UK labor market looks set to remain a challenging battleground in the new year.
