"LiveCareer analysis of 19 million CVs shows long-term unemployment and short-term instability have become the new norm for UK job seekers. September 23, 2025 - New research from LiveCareer UK, a leading career service dedicated to CVs and cover letters, reveals a long-running and intensifying trend: employment gaps in the UK are more common than ever-and growing. Mind the Gap: 2025 UK Employment Gap Report is based on an analysis of 19 million UK CVs created using LiveCareer's online CV builder."
"The report found record high in long-term gaps and in 2025, 24% of UK job seekers had a gap of 12+ months-up from 18% in 2020, marking a 33% increase in long-term unemployment. One in 3 CVs now show a 6+ month gap and 32% of CVs in 2025 featured a gap of at least 6 months-up from 24% in 2020."
"No-gap CVs are disappearing and the share of candidates with uninterrupted work history dropped by 10 percentage points-from 61% in 2020-2021 to 51% in 2025. Reversal of recovery trends comes after improvements in 2021-2024, 2025 saw a decline in no-gap CVs, with only 51% of job seekers showing no gaps-down from 61% in 2020 and 2021. Post-COVID impact is still visible and long-term gaps surged between 2020 and 2022 and peaked in 2024, when over 1.28 million CVs showed a 12+ month break."
An analysis of 19 million UK CVs created between January 2020 and June 2025 finds employment gaps have grown in frequency and duration. Long-term gaps (12+ months) rose to 24% of CVs in 2025, up from 18% in 2020, a 33% increase. CVs showing gaps of six months or more rose to 32% in 2025 from 24% in 2020, and nearly one million job seekers reported gaps under one month, indicating high turnover. No-gap CVs fell from 61% in 2020–2021 to 51% in 2025. Long-term gaps surged after COVID, peaking in 2024 with over 1.28 million CVs showing 12+ month breaks. Career narratives and hiring norms require adjustment.
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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