Job vacancies fall to five-year low, sliding 10.6% below pre-pandemic levels

The Office for National Statistics reported 705,000 vacancies in the three months to May 2026—the lowest in five years. Vacancies fell 31,000 in that quarter and are now 10.6% below pre-coronavirus levels. Fewer industries recorded declines than before, suggesting the steepest job-market adjustments may have passed.