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Nearly a million young Britons out of work or education
The number of 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK not in education, employment or training (Neet) reached 957,000 in the final quarter of 2025, official figures show. This represents 12.8% of the age group, a slight rise from the previous three months.
Job market struggles hit young people hardest
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) attributed the increase to a weak labour market, particularly in hospitality and graduate schemes. More young people actively sought work in late 2025, though the overall Neet total remains marginally lower than the same period in 2024.
The rise was driven by young women, whose Neet rate climbed to 12.2%, narrowing the gap with young men, whose rate fell to 13.3%. A person is classified as Neet if they are unemployed or economically inactive-not seeking work or awaiting a job start.
Barriers to employment persist
Long-term sickness, mental health challenges, and neurodivergence have contributed to economic inactivity among young people over the past three years, according to the Youth Futures Foundation.
Joseph, a 24-year-old autistic resident of Solihull, told BBC Newsbeat that gaining experience is a major hurdle. "There's a real taboo around needing experience to get a job, but only being able to get experience through a job," they said. "Autism can be a barrier, but it can also be a strength-many employers just don't understand that."
Joseph is currently receiving support from a King's Trust youth worker to secure paid employment.
Government and experts weigh in
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden called youth unemployment a "long-term challenge" and highlighted government efforts to boost apprenticeships. Last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a guaranteed paid work placement for young people unemployed or out of education for 18 months, with benefits at risk for those who refuse.
An independent inquiry led by former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn is examining the issue, with findings due this summer. Milburn rejected the notion of a "snowflake generation," emphasizing that systemic failures-not young people-are to blame. "The problem is the opportunities are just not available," he told BBC 5 Live.
Calls for urgent action grow
The Resolution Foundation urged Reeves to address youth unemployment in her upcoming Spring Statement, warning the UK is "perilously close" to one million Neets. Louise Murphy, a senior economist at the think tank, said the data reflects a generation facing "real and complex barriers" to stable employment.
Critics are also pressing the government to delay plans to scrap the lower minimum wage for 16- and 17-year-olds, fearing it could deter employers from hiring young workers. Government sources indicated ministers may pause the change but are unlikely to abandon it entirely.
Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, warned of a "considerable risk" of long-term worklessness without intervention. "The number of young Neets has remained stubbornly close to one million," he said.
Data reliability concerns
The ONS acknowledged volatility in Neet figures due to the smaller population sample compared to broader unemployment data. Recent criticism of the Labour Force Survey, which underpins Neet statistics, has prompted the agency to expand its team of interviewers to improve response rates.
The highest quarterly Neet total was recorded in 2011, when over a million young people were out of work or education following the 2008 financial crisis.
