The Monster Employment Index UK decreased by 11 points in December to reach a level of 141. Online job demand is now at its lowest level since May 2007.

Year-on-year, the Index was down 33 points, or 19%, compared to a 10% annual decrease in the previous month, indicating a dramatic slowdown in recruiting at the end of 2008. Demand fell most in the healthcare, social work; and HR sectors. The banking, finance, insurance sector also saw a marked annual decrease in job availability. In contrast, there was a surge in demand for education, training and library workers for the third straight month. Moderate growth was seen in the legal; and R&D sectors.

The Index decreased by 11 points in December to reach a 20-month low as online job availability continued to fall from its February peak

- Demand for HR-related positions slumped to an Index low and the financial sector fell to its lowest level since January 2007, reflecting the negative impact on hiring from the recent financial crisis

- In contrast, hiring of education workers rose, partly due to demand for training from unemployed workers. Modest increases were also noted in the legal; and R&D sectors

- Demand dropped in all occupational groups except skilled agricultural and fishery workers. Plant and machine operators, and assemblers; and elementary occupations were the hardest hit, suggesting a further drop in industrial activity

- Hiring fell in all regions, with East Anglia showing the largest annual decline in demand