New figures released today by the Totaljobs Barometer, the first to provide a round-up of the labour market in the first quarter of 2012, reveal that competition for posts rose from 15 to 20 applications for each job compared to the same period last year.

Although the jobs market saw a 4% rise in jobs year on year, areas like Scotland and Wales, suffered a huge fall in the number of jobs available; 17% and 18% per cent respectively. Outside London, the area with the fiercest competition is the North East of England which has now reached a record high of 23 applications for every job posted in the first quarter of 2012 – up 15% on the same period last year.

The Totaljobs Barometer provides one of the most comprehensive representations of supply and demand in the UK job market – importantly reporting three months ahead of official ONS statistics for which it stands up as a proven forecast. Based on the behaviour of 5.1 million jobseekers and 5,000 recruiters each month, today’s figures show how UK recruitment has fared in the first quarter of 2012.

The figures also outline recruiter and jobseeker activity across 33 sectors. Whilst sectors such as accountancy, aerospace and engineering have seen strong growth, this has been offset by a significant fall in public sector jobs which have declined 58% year-on-year. At the same time, the total number of applications has risen by 20 per cent across all sectors. The rise means that the number of people looking for work has increased, bringing a greater danger of jobs seekers desperately applying for any job and being less focused on pursuing their chosen career path, boosting the total number of applications.