Nearly a Million UK 16‑24 Year‑Olds Not Working or in Education

Published: 27 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The number of young people in the United Kingdom aged 16 to 24 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) has edged closer to one million, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Figures for October to December 2025 show that 957,000 individuals in this age group were not working or studying, highlighting persistent challenges in the youth labour market and education system.

Official data indicates that the NEET count rose from 946,000 in the previous quarter to 957,000, representing 12.8 per cent of all 16‑ to 24‑year‑olds. While slightly lower than levels seen a year earlier, the current total is still among the highest in more than a decade, underscoring a stubborn trend in youth disengagement from formal work or learning pathways.

The ONS figures show that the quarter‑on‑quarter increase was driven primarily by a rise in unemployed young people actively searching for work, which grew by 45,000. Meanwhile, the number of economically inactive young people — those not looking for work — decreased by 34,000 over the same period.

The situation has prompted concern from policymakers, economists and youth organisations, who say that high NEET rates can have long‑term consequences for life chances, income prospects and social inclusion. Analysts note that young people facing labour market detachment are at greater risk of falling into long‑term unemployment or low‑pay jobs later in life if they struggle to gain early work or educational experience.

Experts also point to sectoral shifts, with traditional entry‑level jobs in retail, hospitality and hospitality shrinking — a dynamic reinforced by automation and changes in employer hiring practices — making it harder for younger workers to secure roles that could lead into full‑time careers.

The rise in NEET numbers comes against the backdrop of broader labour market challenges, including a youth unemployment rate at the highest level in a decade, and ongoing debates over wages, training opportunities and support programmes. Some commentators argue that policy reforms in areas such as apprenticeships, skills development and targeted job creation are needed to help reverse the trend and provide clearer pathways into employment or further education.

Government advisers and campaigners have called for a concerted strategy to address the situation, ranging from expanded training schemes to incentives for employers to hire and train young workers. The concentration of NEETs around key life transitions — from school to work or further study — underscores the complexity of structural and economic factors shaping young people’s prospects in the UK today.

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