Almost one million young people in the UK remain out of work, education or training, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The latest data shows 946,000 16- to 24-year-olds were classed as Neet between July and September, a small decrease from 948,000 in the previous quarter. Despite the modest decline, the number still represents one in eight young people nationwide.
The government acknowledged that Neet levels have been “far too high for too long” as it announced a new scheme aimed at improving access to paid work, education and apprenticeships. Ministers say the long-term trend demands urgent intervention, with youth inactivity consistently exceeding 900,000 since early 2024 and reaching an 11-year high of 987,000 earlier this year.
Weak Job Market and Rising Sickness Driving Youth Inactivity
Young people who are not in employment can fall into two categories: unemployed but actively seeking work, or economically inactive, meaning they are not looking for work at all. The majority of Neets—an estimated 580,000—are now economically inactive, while 366,000 are unemployed.
The labour market has become increasingly challenging for young people, with 2025 data showing falling vacancies and fewer people on payrolls. Research from the Youth Futures Foundation identifies a sharp rise in long-term sickness among young people as one of the key drivers of economic inactivity over the past three years.
Case Study Highlights Challenges Faced by Young Jobseekers
Nathan, 21, is one of the many young people currently classed as Neet. He is taking part in a six-week employability programme in Leeds run by The Spear Programme, a national charity helping young people build communication, confidence and interview skills. He told the BBC that support from the charity has helped him progress after attending several interviews “not knowing what to say”.
Many referrals to the charity come through job centres, with participants typically facing multiple barriers to work, including mental health challenges, low qualifications or time spent in care. Nathan, who was excluded from five schools, hopes to secure stable employment to achieve his goal of opening a gym business. He urged businesses to take more chances on young people who lack experience but are “motivated and ready to work”.
Mental Health Pressures Intensify Among Young People
Megan Williams, who has worked with Neets for more than a decade at The Spear Programme, says the charity is seeing growing numbers of young people struggling with mental health and isolation. Many, she said, find basic daily tasks difficult and view re-entering work or education as “very far away”.
Department for Education figures show that nearly one in five young people who were Neet in 2023 had a mental health condition, a trend that charities say has worsened since the pandemic.
Government Announces “Youth Guarantee” and Tougher Requirements
In response to the latest ONS data, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden confirmed that the government will introduce a “Youth Guarantee” to ensure every young person can access education, training, an apprenticeship or paid work. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to unveil further details in the upcoming Budget, including a plan to offer guaranteed job placements to young people who have been on Universal Credit for 18 months without “earning or learning”. Those who decline may risk losing benefits.
The Department for Work and Pensions has also appointed former Health Secretary Alan Milburn to lead an independent investigation into the rise in youth inactivity, examining the role of mental health conditions and disability in keeping young people out of the workforce.
Numbers Still Close to Post-Crisis Peaks
The UK last recorded more than one million Neets in 2011, in the years following the 2008 financial crisis. Although the current figure is slightly below that level, youth unemployment and economic inactivity remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic averages. Analysts warn that unless conditions improve, the UK risks a generation falling permanently out of the labour market.
