A Million Young People On The Sidelines

Nearly one million young people in the UK are currently NEET - not in education, employment or training. Too often, they are treated as a statistic, a problem to be solved later. But the Youth Employment UK 2025 Youth Voice Census makes clear that NEET young people are not a side issue: they are at the heart of the country’s future workforce, productivity, and social cohesion.

Only 1 in 4 (26%) say they know what employers want, compared with 49% overall. They record the lowest wellbeing scores and are the least likely to access health or financial support. For many, debates about AI or hybrid working feel distant; their challenge is simply finding work.

Every year, thousands of young people drift further from opportunity, with long-term costs to the economy and public services. At the same time, employers face chronic skills shortages. Unlocking the potential of NEET young people is not an act of charity; it’s a strategic investment with huge returns for the national economy.

Youth Employment UK finds that the current system is fractured. Support works best for those already in education or work, and least for those outside it. NEET young people too often find the door to opportunity shut.

The Youth Voice Census sets out clear solutions: a national digital hub to provide a single entry point to advice and opportunities; a Young Person’s Entitlement to skills and work experience by 18; and employer incentives to make youth hiring simple and rewarding.

Laura-Jane Rawlings, CEO of Youth Employment UK says:

"NEET young people are telling us loud and clear: they feel invisible. They are the least supported, the most anxious, and the most unsure about what employers want. If we don’t act now, we risk writing off nearly a million young people. That would be a tragedy for them and a huge loss for our country".

The stakes could not be higher. Every year that passes without action deepens the scars for young people and the economy alike. But every step taken now - to open doors, create pathways, and back young people with real opportunity - is an investment in a stronger, fairer, more productive future.

If we want a country that thrives, we cannot afford to leave nearly a million young people on the sidelines. Fixing NEET is not just the right thing to do. It is an economic necessity.

Read the full report on the Youth Employment UK website