As of late 2025, about 10 million people were unemployed in the five biggest economies in Europe. According to the worldwide hiring portal Indeed, the forecast for employment prospects in 2026 is really dire in various nations, especially the UK.
This is in spite of the British government’s efforts to increase employment and economic growth in the nation, which are hampered by low company investment, slow productivity, and the consequences from Brexit. However, how does the UK stack up against its neighbors in Europe, and which nations provide the most job opportunities?
Job listings in the UK (80.2) are still 20% lower than they were prior to the epidemic as of November 28, 2025. Compared to the same period in 2024, when the index was at 88.3, that is eight percentage points lower.
This year, the UK government increased employer social security contributions to 15% of earnings over £5,000. The rate on salaries over £9,100 was 13.8%.
In addition to the uncertainty surrounding the substance of the government’s Employment Rights Bill, the UK has experienced very significant hikes in the minimum wage in recent years, which further burdens businesses.
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