The NEET Generation: why are so many young people neither studying nor working

Tengrinews.kz — The share of young people who are neither working nor studying is growing. Experts are speaking of a “renewal crisis” and warning of long-term negative consequences for the skilled labor market, citing Euronews.
Across Europe, the share of young people who are not in employment, education or training stands at 12.9 percent.
The highest rates have been recorded in Romania at 22.8 percent, Bulgaria at 17.3 percent and France at 16.2 percent. The lowest shares are in the Netherlands at 5.6 percent, Sweden at 7.3 percent and the Czech Republic at 7.6 percent.
In expert and political circles, this group is referred to as NEET — young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training.
Magdalena Polloczek heads the department for “Education and Vocational Training Amid the Transformation of the World of Work” at the Hans Bockler Foundation, an organization affiliated with trade unions. According to her, the NEET group is highly diverse.

“It includes many young people who are actively looking for vocational training or internship opportunities. Problems in the training market, including the large number of applicants who have been unable to find a suitable option, have existed for a long time and have become even more acute recently,” Magdalena Polloczek said. In her view, this is “a serious problem for the labor market because, in the long term, it could lead to a shortage of skilled workers.”

Young people interested in obtaining a profession are often geographically limited in their choice of where to study because they generally continue to live with their parents. In many cases, a lack of money prevents them from moving to another city or renting their own accommodation.
At the same time, many young men and women aim for the most popular professions, where competition for training places is particularly intense. Meanwhile, some occupations facing labor shortages are much less attractive to them.
According to the 2024 National Education Report, 66 percent of young people who are neither working nor studying are classified as economically inactive. They are not ready to enter the labor market. Among the reasons, 20 percent cite caring responsibilities for relatives, while another 18 percent point to health problems. Education-related reasons rank third at 17 percent, such as waiting to enroll in a university or begin an internship.

“We need to think about how to better combine education with family responsibilities — for example, by expanding part-time study programs or increasing the availability of childcare services. Another important point is supporting those who have not yet decided on a profession or educational path,” Polloczek said.

According to experts, a lack of clear direction and gaps in education are among the barriers preventing young people from entering the labor market. Another factor they cite is the sharp rise in wages in low-skilled sectors.