Almost Half of Europeans Eye Career Changes in 2026 Amid Growing Job Market Uncertainty

A new year brings new career ambitions for Europeans, with nearly half planning to seek a new job in 2026, according to recent research by LinkedIn. However, the survey also highlights widespread uncertainty, as almost four in five workers across major European economies feel unprepared to pursue a new role.

The study, conducted by Censuswide with 10,400 respondents aged 18 to 79, covers full-time and part-time employees as well as those currently unemployed but seeking work. It shows that 47% of Europeans are planning to look for a new role in 2026. Among the seven countries surveyed, the United Kingdom has the highest proportion, with more than half of respondents expressing intentions to change jobs. The UK is also above the global average of 52% recorded across 14 countries.

Other nations with high levels of job-seeking include Sweden and Spain, where more than half of workers are considering new opportunities. France, by contrast, has the lowest share at 37%. Germany and Italy fall below the European average, while the Netherlands aligns with it.

Despite these ambitions, confidence is low. Across Europe, 77% of workers report feeling unprepared for a career move. This figure peaks in Sweden at 83% and remains high in France, the UK, and Germany. Spain shows the lowest level of unpreparedness at 67%, while Italy and the Netherlands sit near the European average.

Recruiters are also feeling the pressure. The LinkedIn research indicates that 66% of recruiters say it has become more difficult to find qualified talent over the past year, reflecting increased competition in the job market. Data from hiring platform Indeed shows that UK job postings remain below pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the challenging environment for job seekers.

The study also examined emerging job trends in Europe, showing the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the labour market. Analysis of millions of jobs started on LinkedIn between January 2023 and July 2025 found that AI-related positions dominate growth across Europe’s top five economies. AI Engineer and Head of AI were among the fastest-growing roles in every country, while the third fastest-growing role varied, including lecturers in the UK, logistics analysts in Spain, and environmental health specialists elsewhere.

Charlotte Davies, LinkedIn career expert, said AI is increasingly shaping how organisations hire and how individuals plan their career moves. “The job market is evolving quickly, and competition remains strong,” she said, highlighting the dual challenge of opportunity and preparedness faced by workers in 2026.

The research underscores a cautious optimism in Europe: while many are ready to explore new career paths, a significant portion feel under-equipped to navigate an increasingly competitive and technology-driven job market.