- The number of new job postings in the UK in May 2025 was 726,084 – up by 0.3% from April 2025.
- The overall number of active job postings was 1,440,792 – a decrease of 1.8% on the number of job postings in April 2025 as older adverts rolled off websites.
- When comparing regions Scotland (9.2%) and the South West (4.7%) showed the highest increase in the total number of job postings.
New job postings rose marginally in May 2025, while total active job posts remain above 1.4 million, according to the latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) / Lightcast monthly Labour Market Tracker.
REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry said:
“This month’s postings data reflects both anecdote from recruiters and the core ONS workforce jobs survey – that the labour market is more stuck than going backwards. Despite the headwinds of tax rises and lower growth there seems to be some resilience. After a long jobs market slowdown, a second month of weak growth in new postings is a sign more of hope than concern.
“While the global growth picture is weaker than anyone would like, the UK is relatively well-positioned to take advantage of what opportunities there are. We are past the interest rate peak, the UK looks good value by comparison to the US, has banked progress on trade deals and has a stable legal and political picture for the next few years. With interest rates staying steady and a possibility of reductions later this year, the challenge now is to build business confidence to invest. That is why it is crucial that this month’s announcements on infrastructure and the industrial strategy set a clear plan for growth that companies can get behind, and that there are no more nasty business tax surprises. You can’t tax and regulate your way to prosperity – it takes business growth. And getting our workforce policy right – as an economic essential, not just a rights issue – will be vital. With a troubling Employment Rights Bill, a big jobs tax increase and anti-business language about agency workers in some parts of government – there is a lot to change to get us there.
“Scotland and the South West of England are particularly notable in today’s numbers, with job listings rising in these regions, likely reflecting growing demand as we move into the summer tourist season. Although early trends suggest some market shifts, we cannot yet draw firm conclusions about summer hiring. The coming weeks will play a crucial role in shaping the full picture, and yes, the good weather will help.”
Today’s Labour Market Tracker shows a decrease in job postings this month for Business Sales Executives for the second month in a row (-47.3%), Authors, Writers and Translators (-24.4%) and Dental Practitioners (-26.6%).
Delivery Drivers and Couriers (53.7%), Food, Drink and Tobacco Process Operatives (34.1%) and Business Associate Professionals (27.7%) all showed the largest increase in roles from April 2025 to May 2025.
Causeway Coast and Glens (31.1%), Dumfries and Galloway (25.7%) and Westminster for the second month in a row (38.2%) showed the highest increase in job postings.
Newry, Mourne and Down (-11.8%), Ards and North Down (-16.1%) and Camden and City of London (-20.3%) all accounted for the sharpest decline in job postings.
Sectors:
Retail:
The retail sector saw 1.5% decrease in the number of job postings from April 2025 to May 2025. The top three roles that had the highest increase were: Retail Cashiers and Check-out Operators (23.0%); Collector Salespersons and Credit Agents (3.6%); and Florists (2.5%).
The three roles with the biggest decreases in that time period were: Elementary Sales Occupations n.e.c. (-9.4%); and Telephone Salespersons for the second month in a row (-10.7%).
Hospitality:
Overall, the sector had a 4.5% decrease in the number of job postings from April to May 2025.
Food, Drink and Tobacco Process Operatives had the biggest uptick in postings, rising 34.1% from the previous month (April 2025). Other such roles to show an increase in that period include Leisure and Sports Managers and Proprietors (9.8%) and Housekeepers and Related Occupations (1.1%).
Agriculture:
There were over 5,000 Agriculture roles posted in May 2025. This is a 0.3% decrease from April 2025.
The following were the roles with the biggest increase: Forestry workers (18.7%) and Biological Scientists (1.6%).
The roles with the greatest falls in demand between April 2025 and May 2025 were Farmers (-10.5%) and Farm Workers (-6.9%).
