More young people were not in work, education or training at the end of 2024 than at any point in the past 11 years, new data suggests. The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures indicate 987,000 16-24-year-olds were not engaged in education, employment or training between October and December, accounting for 13.4% of this age group. That amounts to almost one out of every seven individuals.
The government has introduced the Youth Guarantee initiative with promises to give every young person the chance to earn or learn, but the statistics paint a grim picture. Young men, particularly, are more likely to find themselves without education or employment, with estimates showing 14.4% of male youths versus 12.3% of females classified as NEET.
One prominent voice amid these troubling statistics is Niall, 22, who recalls his own struggles during this challenging period. Speaking to BBC News, he illustrated the turbulence of youth, noting, “I’d go out partying or doing drugs, spending time just doing drugs to try and escape.” Niall's experience, particularly from ages 16 to 20, reflected a dangerous lifestyle influenced by peers he’d come to know. Yet now, on universal credit as he searches for work, he has turned his experiences around, stating, “I feel great about the future now... I want to build something.”
Statistics show those who fall under the ‘economically inactive’ category account for the majority of NEET individuals. There are two classifications: unemployed, for those actively seeking jobs, and economically inactive, comprising those who are not seeking work. Presently, 595,000 young people fall within the economically inactive status, demonstrating the severe challenges they face.
According to the Department for Education, nearly one out of every five individuals (19.5%) within this demographic reported grappling with mental health conditions. The King's Trust, established by King Charles III to support youth employment initiatives, released its annual Youth Index survey, spotlighting grave concerns among the surveyed 4,285 individuals. Most participants expressed their anxious feelings about their future on a daily basis. Notably, for the NEET subgroup of 460 respondents: 31% revealed desires for employment impeded by mental health issues, and half felt hopeless about their future due to their unemployment.
Jack Rice, who has been working with youth for three years, emphasizes the benefits of community activities such as football sessions, intentionally offering young people reliable avenues to escape from their daily pressures. Young individual Luke, aged 16, aspires to become a roofer but admits his age often deters potential employers. With job applications and plans for apprenticeships underway, he also contemplates starting college courses should opportunities remain elusive.
Addressing the multi-layered complications Neet youths face, Gill Bainbridge—chief executive of the Merseyside Youth Association—pointed out the unique challenges many encounter. Bainbridge highlighted: “You might have a young person who is on the autistic spectrum, who also struggled with their mental health, who... has low confidence.” These intertwined struggles complicate their path to success, necessitating consistent and targeted support for long-term improvements.
Harry, who was Neet for three years, felt trapped within the confines of his home, particularly after enduring adverse mental health effects stemming from the pandemic. “It was so much easier, with how bad my mental health was, to just rot in this cyclic and fester my room,” he candidly stated. Thankfully, access to free counselling and mentoring through charitable organizations helped him regain his footing, leading to his current successful career at a music-publishing company.
Dr Andrea Barry, principal economist at the Youth Futures Foundation, emphasized the pivotal role of government outreach. She noted, “Unfortunately, young people who are not looking for work are not going to be in contact with the job centre.” Barry warns of the long-term scarring effects resulting from extended NEET periods and advocates for the importance of integrating young people back to work for the country’s economic growth. The government has relaxed certain rules around apprenticeships, but Barry calls for assured accessibility of Level 2 or 3 apprenticeships.
The Department for Work and Pensions reaffirmed its commitment, declaring, “We are determined to make sure no young person gets left behind.” Their efforts, as outlined within the Get Britain Working White Paper, aim to transform job centres and augment mental health support.
The high figure of young people classed as NEET poses not only challenges for the individuals involved but also for the broader society, primarily due to the potential for worsening mental health crises and economic downturns when youthful potential remains untapped. With collaborative efforts involving charities, community organizations, and governmental support, there's hope for progress to reinvent the support systems surrounding young people and instill hope for brighter futures.