The number of young people aged 16 to 24 who are neither working nor engaged in education or training has risen sharply, reaching its highest level in over a decade.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that nearly one million young people in this age group are now in the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) category, highlighting growing challenges facing youth employment.
According to ONS figures, between October and December 2024, 987,000 young people were neither employed nor enrolled in education, marking a 110,000 increase from the previous year.
This translates to 13.4% of the population aged 16-24, or roughly one in seven individuals. The government’s response, including initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee, aims to address these issues, ensuring that every young person is offered the chance to “earn or learn.”
Mental Health: A Growing Barrier to Employment
One of the primary issues identified among NEET individuals is poor mental health. Figures from the Department for Education show that nearly one in five young people faced mental health challenges in 2023, with significant implications for their ability to secure employment.
According to the King’s Trust annual Youth Index, a substantial portion of NEET youth—31%—reported that mental health issues were preventing them from finding work.
The data reflects a deeper issue than mere unemployment. Many young people in this group are classified as economically inactive, meaning they are not actively seeking work.
In the final quarter of 2024, 595,000 young people fell into this category, compared to 392,000 who were unemployed but actively searching for work.
These figures point to a broader societal issue that requires attention beyond just job creation. Efforts to tackle mental health difficulties and offer better support systems are therefore crucial.
Gender Disparity and Educational Barriers
The latest ONS statistics also reveal a noticeable gender gap in NEET rates. Young men are more likely than young women to fall into this category, with 14.4% of male 16-24-year-olds reporting NEET status, compared to 12.3% of females.
For many, the path to employment is complicated by a lack of qualifications or formal training.
Gill Bainbridge, CEO of the Merseyside Youth Association, which helps thousands of young people each year, emphasised that many NEET youth face complex barriers, such as special educational needs or long-term mental health challenges.
These issues often result in low self-esteem and a lack of confidence, further hindering their ability to succeed in the workforce.
In response to these challenges, initiatives like the Talent Match programme, which focuses on helping NEET individuals gain skills and qualifications, have been set up.
Despite such efforts, the rise in NEET youth underscores the urgent need for more comprehensive support systems to help these young people overcome their obstacles.
The government’s Youth Guarantee initiative, which aims to provide every young person with the opportunity to work or study, will be key to addressing these rising numbers and ensuring that young people do not remain left behind.
