The number of companies looking to recruit graduates has plummeted since last year, according to worldwide research from the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The number of companies looking to recruit graduates has plummeted since last year, according to worldwide research from the Economist Intelligence Unit in association with talent management firm StepStone.

Only 6 per cent of the 410 senior executives surveyed say that graduate recruitment will be a focus for their company in 2010, compared to 50 per cent for the year before.

This is despite the fact that 41 per cent of respondents say that they have a shortage of talent in their organisation, and only 18 per cent still plan to reduce or freeze headcounts.

Securing the best talent was ranked third overall as a driver of growth, behind economic recovery and credit availability.