Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reveal that nearly one million young people in the UK, specifically those aged 16 to 24, are classified as not in education, employment or training (Neet). This data, covering the period from October to December 2024, shows a staggering estimate of 987,000 individuals, reflecting 13.4 per cent of this age group. This figure marks the highest level of Neet status among young people in over a decade, with an increase of 1.3 percentage points compared to the same period in the previous year and up 0.3 percentage points from the preceding quarter.
The last comparable figures, recorded a decade earlier, indicated that 1.03 million young people were Neet during the same months in 2013. Of the current Neet population, an estimated 14.4 per cent are young men (about 542,000 individuals), while 12.3 per cent are young women (around 445,000). The data also outlines that nearly 400,000 young individuals within this age bracket are unemployed, an increase of 84,000 when juxtaposed with the previous year, alongside 595,000 classified as economically inactive.
Russell Hobby, chief executive of Teach First, expressed concern over the statistics, calling them “shocking.” He highlighted that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have been disproportionately affected and urged for increased funding for schools servicing these communities. He stated, “today’s unjust figures should ring alarm bells across the country,” indicating the need for intervention to foster a brighter future for these youths.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary, Paul Nowak, emphasised the importance of a dignified start to working life for all young people. He attributed the rising figures of Neet youth to policy decisions under the current government, explaining that the situation bears significant implications for future opportunities for these individuals. “With close to one million young people outside of employment or education, the situation is stark,” Nowak remarked.
Furthermore, Stephen Evans, the chief executive at the Learning and Work Institute, expressed that the rising numbers may indicate further challenges ahead, particularly in the absence of economic growth. He underscored the need for a comprehensive youth guarantee, ensuring that every young individual is offered either a job, training position, or apprenticeship.
Compounding these statistics, new research from the King’s Trust highlighted that almost one-third of young people classified as Neet are working in jobs they do not desire due to desperation for employment. A survey involving 4,285 respondents aged 16 to 25 revealed that one in five is applying for jobs daily. In addition, half of those who fall under the Neet category reported feeling hopeless about their futures as a result of their unemployment status.
Source: Noah Wire Services