'Urgent challenge' | Nearly 1 million young people still not in work or learning as NEET rates remain high

The latest ONS figures show that the number of young people in the UK who are not in education, employment or training remains stubbornly high. After several years of economic pressure, shifting labour market conditions and widening regional inequalities, progress has slowed. 

The headline trend is simple: the situation is no longer getting worse, but it is still far from improving in any meaningful way. A large share of young people continue to sit on the sidelines, disconnected from the pathways that should lead them into work or learning.

The ONS estimates that 946,000 people aged 16–24 were NEET between July and September 2025. This represents 12.7% of all young people in that age group, barely changed from the previous quarter. Men continue to account for a slightly higher proportion than women. Of the total, 366,000 are unemployed and actively looking for work, while 580,000 are economically inactive and not currently seeking a job or training opportunity.

The ONS describes these as “statistics in development”, noting that survey volatility remains high. Even so, the overall picture is clear: almost a million young people remain detached from the labour market.