Youth NEET Rate
Percentage of youth ages 15-24 not in employment, education, or training.
Quick Reference
Unit
%
Category
Social Indicators
Metric Code
youth_neet_rate
How It's Calculated
Number of young people (ages 15-24) who are not employed, not in school, and not in training programs, divided by total youth population, multiplied by 100. Based on labor force surveys and administrative education enrollment data. Unemployed youth actively seeking work are included; discouraged workers who stopped looking are also counted. Uses ILO standard definition.
Why It Matters
NEET rates measure youth exclusion from both labor markets and skill-building opportunities, signaling lost human capital and future productivity. High NEET rates indicate structural barriers preventing young people from gaining work experience or education credentials. It is SDG Indicator 8.6.1 and a leading indicator of long-term unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion. As of 2024, one in five young people globally (259 million) were NEET, with young women twice as likely as young men to be NEET due to caregiving responsibilities and gender discrimination.
Understanding the Values
Very Low: < 5% (strong youth integration - Nordic countries, Switzerland) Low: 5-10% (good opportunities - most high-income countries) Moderate: 10-15% (concerning gaps - Southern Europe, Latin America) High: 15-25% (serious youth exclusion - Middle East, North Africa) Very High: > 25% (youth crisis - fragile states, conflict zones) SDG Target 8.6: Reduce NEET rates, especially for young women Global average: ~20% (2024, 259 million youth) Gender gap: Young women are 2x more likely to be NEET than young men Note: NEET rates spike during economic recessions and may remain elevated for years (scarring effect).
Related Metrics
Secondary School Enrollment Rate
Gross enrollment ratio for secondary education, measuring total enrollment as percentage of secondary school-age population.
Unemployment Rate
Percentage of labor force unemployed
Out-of-School Children (Primary Level)
Number of primary school-age children not enrolled in primary or secondary education.
Child Labor Rate
Percentage of children ages 7-14 engaged in economic activity.
Data Quality & Coverage
Coverage: ~120 countries with regular data Update frequency: Annual (labor force surveys) Sources: UN Data SDMX API, ILO Statistics, World Bank Limitations: Definition of "training" varies - some countries include informal apprenticeships, others only formal programs. Household surveys may undercount discouraged youth (not seeking work). Gender gaps underestimated where cultural norms discourage reporting female unemployment. Does not distinguish between voluntary (gap year) and involuntary NEET status. Informal employment not captured - youth in precarious, unregistered work may appear employed but lack protections.