JOBSEEKERS face a “tough” year in 2026, experts have warned, as hiring continues to slump and companies slash employee benefits.
Experts are warning of a “job-pocalypse” as more roles are replaced with AI and unemployment levels soar.
According to Indeed, job postings have dropped by almost a fifth since before the pandemic, and are down 8% since last year.
Graduates are having the hardest time finding jobs, with entry-level roles having dropped by 13% on the job site since 2024.
Meanwhile, companies are “trimming” perks for employees to save on costs, and fewer are posting salaries as part of their job adverts.
Low-wage jobs, including those in retail and hospitality, have taken a bigger hit than higher paid roles, partly due to National Insurance and minimum wage hikes.
It comes as unemployment in Britain hit a four-year high in September, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, as some sectors are bucking the trend and have increased hiring by up to 20%, according to Indeed’s 2025 Labour Market Trends report.
If you’re looking to land a new job in the new year, it may be worth considering a move to one of these industries:
Industries with biggest jump in hiring in 2025
THESE were the industries that saw the most growth in hiring activity this year, according to Indeed:
- Loading and Stocking
- Childcare
- Logistic Support
- Civil Engineering
- IT Systems and Solutions
- Architecture
Loading and stocking was the sector with the biggest boom in hiring activity this year, with a 20% jump in job postings between January 1 and November 21, 2025.
These tend to be manual jobs that involve filling shelves in either a store or warehouse. You don’t need any qualifications or training to do these roles, so they could be ideal for anyone looking for a career change without retraining.
Childcare had the second biggest jump in hiring, likely due to increased demand after the government’s rollout of 30 hours free childcare for working parents.
Job postings for roles like nursery workers and babysitters grew by 15% this year.
Logistic support roles also saw a 15% increase in 2025.
Logistics specialists manage the flow of goods from suppliers to customers, and ensure they are delivered on time and in good condition.
According to Indeed, you’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree in business, logistics or a related field in order to get an entry-level role in the sector.
Civil engineering jobs grew by 8%, while roles in IT systems and solutions, and architecture, both increase by 5%.
However, some industries saw a huge decline in job postings this year, Indeed said.
Jobs in veterinary dropped by 39%, while those in real estate dipped by 30%.
Community and social service roles declined 28%, while jobs in the dental industry dropped by 25%.
Social science roles dipped by 23% and jobs in the therapy industry dropped by 21%.
Industries with biggest slump in hiring in 2025
THESE were the industries that saw the most growth in hiring activity this year, according to Indeed:
- Veterinary
- Real Estate
- Community and Social Service
- Dental
- Social Science
- Therapy
Regionally, the south east of the country has seen the biggest decline in job postings since the pandemic, with 31% fewer roles in that area since February 2020.
This was followed by London, with job adverts in the capital having fallen by 29% in the past five years.
Meanwhile, job postings have grown by 16% in the North East, and by 20% in Northern Ireland, since February 2020 – defying the overall trend.
However, Indeed also warned that all parts of the UK had seen a decline in job postings over the past year.
“While the UK economy started 2025 on a stronger footing, the labour market has clearly cooled as the year has progressed,” Indeed senior economist Jack Kennedy said.
“Job postings remain well below their pre-pandemic level and, despite a recent stabilisation, hiring appetite is still subdued. This is creating a tougher environment for jobseekers, particularly new entrants such as graduates.
“At the same time, employers are adjusting to a softer market by trimming benefits and becoming more selective about when and how they advertise pay.
“Yet flexibility remains a powerful draw. Even with tighter office expectations, hybrid work continues to feature in a large share of postings, reflecting its importance to both employers and workers.
“The picture heading into 2026 is one of caution rather than crisis. Job losses have remained modest, but job creation is clearly slower.
“Much will depend on how economic conditions evolve – but for now, the balance of power sits more firmly with employers than in recent years.”
Stylianos Taxidis, head of data and analytics at jobs site CV Library, added that Britain was “now facing what many are calling a ‘job-pocalypse’” and the firm was seeing the “stark impact of AI on roles first-hand”.
He added: “For jobseekers, the priority is adaptability. Digital literacy – proficiency in using AI tools, data analysis and insights will be essential, alongside soft skills such as creativity and problem solving that AI can’t replicate.
“While the full impact of AI on the labour market is still unfolding, one thing is clear: jobs of the future will be those that complement AI and automation most effectively, transforming and streamlining the jobs we know today.”
