Study reveals Sheffield’s job vacancy rate is 70% below the UK average

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With recent news of unemployment at a near five-year-high in the UK, many people are struggling to find work. However, a new study has revealed that Sheffield is among the UK’s toughest locations for jobseekers, with its job vacancy rate far below the national average.

The study, conducted by digital agency E-Innovate, analysed the average number of job vacancies on Glassdoor for each city in the UK and compared these figures to each area’s population, revealing the cities with the most and least job vacancies per 100,000 residents.

The average number of job vacancies per 100,000 residents across all cities in the UK is 9,294.70.

In Sheffield, there are a total of 2,802.00 job vacancies per 100,000 residents, which is a huge 70% less than the average across all UK cities, highlighting the struggle Sheffielders are facing when looking for work. Overall, Sheffield ranks 17th in the UK among cities with the lowest job vacancy rate.

The city with the lowest number of job vacancies per 100,000 residents is Derry, with just 257.07. Closely following are Aberdeen and Plymouth, with 982.43 and 1,036.88 job vacancies per 100,000 residents, respectively.

The 20 UK cities with the lowest job vacancy rates

Derry (257.07 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Aberdeen (982.43 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Plymouth (1,036.88 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
London (1,066.60 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Swansea (1,185.39 vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Dundee (1,513.31 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Belfast (1,526.70 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Kingston Upon Hull (1,559.03 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Edinburgh (1,584.89 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Norwich (1,647.39 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Glasgow (1,712.53 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Birmingham (2,031.61 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Lincoln (2,077.20 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Newcastle upon Tyne (2,499.72 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Cardiff (2,661.14 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Bristol (2,708.87 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Sheffield (2,802.00 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Peterborough (3,010.41 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Leeds (3,271.05 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)
Liverpool (3,493.53 job vacancies per 100,000 residents)

The city with the highest number of job vacancies per 100,000 residents is Watford, at 68,687.61, closely followed by Slough and Basildon, at 54,071.50 and 49,744.30 job vacancies per 100,000 residents, respectively.

Karim Salama, founder of E-Innovate , has commented:

"These figures expose a massive gap in job opportunities across UK regions. However, it’s important to recognise that job boards or websites don’t distinguish between sectors or whether a job is full or part-time, making studies like this a more general overview of the job market in each location.

"Where you live dramatically impacts your job prospects. People willing to move could boost their career chances and earning potential. However, residents should be careful to check job details and ensure that they suit the applicant."