In 2023, more than 11 percent of young people aged 15 to 29 in the European Union’ were identified as NEET. At EU level, NEET’s represent one of the most problematic and complex subgroups in the context of youth unemployment.
Teenagers often fall into this category when they have difficulty transitioning from school to work. Social inequalities, job shortages and low levels of education are all contributing factors.
The term was formally introduced in the United Kingdom ’ta in the late 1990s and was later adopted by most EU member states. The size of the issue varies across the block; NEET numbers range from about 5 percent ’ in the Netherlands’ to 19 percent ’ in Romania’.
The European Commission has implemented indicators such as NEET rates to monitor the problem, as higher NEET rates are often synonymous with higher poverty levels.
Brussels wants to reduce the overall NEET rate to 9’ percent by 2030 to improve the labor economy and reverse skills shortages.
While the abbreviation is relatively simple, the lack of an internationally recognized definition, coupled with existing social and economic inequalities across the EU, makes it difficult for EU legislators to find a solution that could be effective in every member state.
What is the EU doing to help young people navigate their careers after high school? Watch the latest episode of True Economy ’ to find out.
