The number of young people in the UK who are not in education, employment, or training (Neet) has risen, reaching an estimated 957,000 in the final quarter of 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This represents 12.8% of 16- to 24-year-olds and marks a slight increase from the previous quarter.
The rise comes amid a weak jobs market, with young people disproportionately affected by cuts in hospitality roles and graduate schemes. The ONS noted that more young people were actively seeking work during the October to December period, though the proportion remains slightly below the same period last year by 0.4%.
The increase in Neets is largely driven by young women. At the end of 2025, 13.3% of young women were classified as Neet, higher than the previous quarter, while the number of young men in the same category declined slightly. A young person is considered Neet if they are unemployed and looking for work or economically inactive, meaning they are neither seeking employment nor engaged in caring responsibilities or preparing to start a job. Those in school, university, apprenticeships, or vocational training are not counted as Neet.
The breakdown of Neets shows a rise in unemployed young people, up 12.3% from the previous quarter, while the economically inactive group fell by 6.6%. The figures highlight the vulnerability of youth in the current labour market and the challenges facing policymakers.
Last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a government programme to offer guaranteed paid work placements to young people who have been out of education or employment for 18 months. Those who refuse the offer could face the suspension of benefits.
Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, said the numbers “show the magnitude of the challenge facing young people and the government.” He added that the Neet population has remained “stubbornly close to one million” and warned of the risk that more young people could fall into long-term worklessness if underlying causes are not addressed.
The ONS cautioned that Neet statistics are volatile due to the smaller size of the population compared to broader unemployment measures. The Labour Force Survey, which provides the data, has faced criticism over quality and response rates. The ONS has pledged improvements, including the deployment of additional interviewers to boost participation.
As the UK faces ongoing economic uncertainty, youth unemployment and inactivity remain pressing concerns, with experts urging targeted interventions to prevent a generation from being locked out of the workforce.
