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.

A 243-kilogram bluefin tuna sold for a staggering 510 million yen (€2.78 million) at the first auction of 2026 at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market, setting a new record for the prized species.

The winning bidder was Kiyomura Corp., owned by Kiyoshi Kimura, who also runs the popular Sushi Zanmai chain. Kimura has frequently claimed top tuna at the market’s annual New Year auctions, but this year’s sale surpassed his previous record of 334 million yen (€1.82 million) set in 2019.

Kimura told reporters he had hoped to pay a little less but was outbid as the price quickly soared. “The price shot up before you knew it,” he said, adding that he purchased the tuna partly for good luck. “But when I see a good-looking tuna, I cannot resist. I haven’t sampled it yet, but it’s got to be delicious.”

The auction began in the predawn hours, with rows of torpedo-shaped tuna laid out with their tails removed, allowing bidders to inspect the meat’s color, texture, and fattiness. The record-setting fish was caught off the coast of Oma in northern Japan, a region renowned for producing some of the country’s finest tuna. At 2.1 million yen (€11,500) per kilogram, the sale highlights both the rarity and quality of Oma tuna, which is prized for sushi and sashimi.

The New Year auction is a high-profile event in Japan, drawing attention from buyers nationwide. While hundreds of tuna are sold daily at Toyosu, prices typically spike during the celebratory first auction of the year, with top specimens fetching sums that far exceed standard market rates.

Pacific bluefin tuna, the species of this record-breaking catch, was previously considered threatened due to overfishing and climate change. Conservation efforts in recent years, however, have allowed stocks to recover, enabling the continuation of Japan’s tuna industry while protecting the species for future generations.

The high-profile sale reflects both the cultural importance of tuna in Japan and the market’s growing international prestige. Kimura’s purchase ensures that the fish will be featured in Sushi Zanmai restaurants, continuing a tradition of showcasing top-quality tuna to diners in Tokyo and beyond.

For Japan, the New Year tuna auction is not only a commercial event but also a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. Winning bidders, like Kimura, often view the purchase as a way to start the year with optimism, bringing attention to the skill of fishermen and the quality of Japan’s seafood.

Petty bribery may be rarer in Western Europe, but influence, lobbying, and regulatory capture continue to wield significant power, often going under the radar, experts say. While public discourse frequently frames corruption as a problem concentrated in Eastern Europe or developing countries, research increasingly challenges this view, highlighting systemic risks across the continent.

“In the academic and scholarly debate, the assumption that corruption is exclusive to Eastern European or developing countries is long gone,” Mihály Fazekas, director of the Government Transparency Institute and professor at Central European University, told Euronews.

Concerns over corruption have become particularly sensitive in the context of Ukraine. As Kyiv seeks continued financial and military backing from EU partners, some politicians in Western Europe have raised corruption-related objections. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has called for EU support to Ukraine to be halted, citing reports of fund misuse and accusing Kyiv of operating a “war mafia” that diverts Western funds.

Political narratives in parts of Western Europe often depict corruption as limited or exceptional, even as high-profile cases surface in countries like France, Germany, and the UK. However, public opinion appears more sceptical. Surveys indicate that while corruption is viewed as less prevalent in Denmark or Sweden, citizens in many core EU states see it as a significant concern. The European Commission’s 2024 Eurobarometer found that 61% of Europeans consider corruption unacceptable, and 68% believe it is widespread in their own country. About 27% reported feeling personally affected in daily life.

Experts note that the forms of corruption differ. In Western Europe, it often involves political financing, lobbying, procurement practices, and regulatory capture, rather than the visible bribery sometimes associated with Eastern Europe. Informal networks exist in both regions but operate differently. In Eastern Europe, gaps in institutional oversight after transitions from centralized governance have allowed informal networks to influence state institutions directly. In Western Europe, similar networks operate through law firms, consultancies, and structured political finance channels.

The Corporate Europe Observatory estimated that at least 62 corporations and trade associations spent a combined €343 million on EU lobbying in 2024, a rise of roughly a third since 2020. Petty bribery, by contrast, is far less common in Western Europe, contributing to a perception that the region is relatively “clean,” even as high-level corruption continues largely unnoticed.

Recent cases illustrate these differences. Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini was arrested over alleged procurement fraud, while French politician Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzling EU parliamentary funds, receiving a four-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office. Both cases have generated debate over political motives versus enforcement.

Fazekas said the challenge lies in distinguishing rhetoric from action. “Corruption is implicitly hidden, and it’s not always obvious who is serious about fighting it. The major challenge is seeing concrete actions as opposed to just rhetoric,” he said.

The ongoing contrast between public perception and structural realities suggests that corruption in Western Europe remains influential, even when it is less visible, and continues to shape debates on governance, oversight, and international aid.