A deepening employment crisis is gripping the United Kingdom’s younger workforce, with a new report revealing that many applicants are submitting up to 400 job applications without success. The data, released by the Institute for Employment Studies, shows that entry-level positions are being flooded with candidates, while vacancies remain scarce. The unemployment rate for 18-24 year olds has risen to 12.
5%, the highest since the 2008 financial crisis. Experts attribute the trend to a combination of economic stagnation, reduced hiring among small and medium enterprises, and a mismatch between graduate skills and employer demands. The government has announced a review of its youth employment schemes, but critics argue that current policies are insufficient.
The crisis is particularly acute in sectors such as retail, hospitality, and creative industries, where job losses have been most severe. Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately affected, with some reporting that they have been forced to move back in with parents or rely on food banks. The Bank of England has warned that long-term youth unemployment could have lasting effects on productivity and social cohesion.
