Young people out of work, training and education edges closer to one million
BBC World
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The number of young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK who are not in education, employment, or training (Neet) has reached a concerning high, with official figures showing nearly one million individuals in this category. The latest data reveals that 957,000 young people were classified as Neet between October and December 2025, representing 12.8% of the age group. This marks a slight increase from the previous quarter, reflecting the ongoing challenges posed by the UK's weak job market, particularly affecting industries like hospitality and graduate schemes.
The rise in Neets is driven by several factors. While more young people are actively seeking work, the number of economically inactive Neets has also risen, with young women being disproportionately affected. Approximately 12.2% of young women were classified as Neet at the end of 2025, up from the previous quarter. However, there was a slight decrease in the number of male Neets during the same period.
The UK government has introduced measures to address this issue, including initiatives to support businesses in hiring young people through apprenticeships and a guaranteed paid work placement for those out of work or education for 18 months. Despite these efforts, concerns remain about the long-term impact of high Neet levels on youth employment prospects. Experts warn that without swift action, more young people could fall into long-term worklessness, exacerbating existing economic challenges.
The situation is particularly concerning given its historical context. The highest quarterly Neet total was recorded in 2011 after the 2008 financial crisis, with numbers exceeding one million. Current trends suggest the UK is perilously close to reaching that threshold again, raising alarms about the potential for a deepening generational crisis.
Independent inquiries and expert analyses are underway to understand the root causes of this rise
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/26/2026