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UK Youth Inactivity Rises as Nearly 1 Million 16–24-Year-Olds Not in Education, Employment or Training
The 12.8% NEET rate reflects rising youth unemployment and economic inactivity due to mental health and neurodivergence, with nearly 1 million young people affected, ONS reports.
- On February 26, 2026, the Office for National Statistics reported 957,000 young people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment or training in Oct to Dec 2025, up from 946,000 in the previous quarter, equating to around 12.8% of that age group.
- Rising inactivity and health-related factors contributed to higher youth unemployment, with 12.2% of young women Neet and cuts in hospitality and graduate schemes worsening entry-level jobs.
- The ONS measures Neets via the Labour Force Survey, counting unemployed or economically inactive youth but excluding those in education or apprenticeships; unemployed Neets rose 12.3% while economically inactive fell 6.6%, and the ONS is improving the survey amid recent criticism.
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Country ‘cannot afford’ to have a million young people out of work, Pensions Secretary says
There were more than 957,000 young people who were not in employment, education or training at the end of last year. That's more than one in eight of all 16 to 24-year-olds.
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 33%
R 17%
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