Online recruitment in the UK increased by only 1% in the past 12 months, while in Europe as a whole it grew by 14%, led by a 31% rise in Germany, according to the Monster Employment Index Europe.

Engineering recruitment led the rise, up 33% over the past year, with production, manufacturing, maintenance and repair and transport, post and logistics also showing growth over 30%.

Public sector, community and defence was the only industry to show a decline greater than 1%.

Online recruitment of craft and related workers was up by 35%, the leading growth of any job role.