Nearly a Million Young People Are NEET in the UK — What It Might Mean for Your Family
Official UK figures show 957,000 young people aged 16–24 are not in education, employment or training. Here's what the data says, why mental health and neurodivergence feature so prominently, and what to watch for if you're worried about a teenager — wherever you live.
Read at source →Curated Links — This entry points to BBC coverage of the latest ONS NEET statistics. Our value-add is the editorial framing and signposting for parents; the BBC pieces cover the data thoroughly and are worth reading in full. One note before we start: the statistics and government programmes here are specifically about the UK. But the underlying story — young people disengaging from education and work, often with mental health or neurodivergence underneath — will be familiar to parents in many countries, and the signs to watch for near the end apply anywhere.
NEET stands for Not in Education, Employment or Training — a term used to describe young people aged 16–24 who are neither studying, working, nor on an apprenticeship or vocational course.
According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 957,000 young people in the UK who were NEET in the period October to December 2025 — equivalent to roughly 1 in 8 of all 16–24 year olds. The ONS collects these figures quarterly via its Labour Force Survey, so they represent the most authoritative snapshot available for the UK.
That’s a large number, and it’s understandable if it prompts concern. But it’s worth keeping in perspective: the figure has fluctuated around this level for some time, and the peak — over a million — was recorded in 2011 in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Many young people move in and out of NEET status as they navigate the transitions between school, further education, and work. A difficult period doesn’t define a young person’s trajectory — something worth holding on to if you’re in the middle of one with your own teenager.
The mental health and neurodivergence angle
For parents of teenagers, the most significant thread in the data is the link between NEET status and health — particularly mental health and learning differences.
Department for Education data cited by the BBC shows that more than half of young people who were NEET in England in 2024 had a health condition. Around 1 in 5 (18%) had a mental health condition, and more than 10% had learning difficulties. The Youth Futures Foundation identifies the rise in long-term sickness among young people as one of the main drivers of economic inactivity over the past three years.
This matters for parents — wherever you live — because disengagement from education or work is often a symptom of something else: anxiety, depression, undiagnosed neurodivergence, or a combination, rather than a straightforward choice. If a young person in your life is pulling back from school, college, or work, it may be worth gently asking what’s going on underneath, rather than focusing primarily on the disengagement itself. That’s easier said than done, of course, and there’s rarely a single right way to have that conversation.
What the UK government is doing
In the November 2024 Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £820 million of funding over three years to support 18–21 year olds in England into apprenticeships, training, education, or employment. Those who have been NEET for more than 18 months will be offered a six-month paid work placement. The government has also committed to making apprenticeship training for under-25s at small and medium businesses free.
Separately, the Department for Work and Pensions has commissioned an independent review, led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, specifically focused on the role of mental health conditions and disability in youth inactivity. It is expected to report in summer 2026.
Devolved nations have their own programmes: Wales has the Young Person’s Guarantee, Scotland has the Developing the Young Workforce scheme, and Northern Ireland operates a range of targeted support schemes.
What parents of teenagers might watch for — wherever you are
Most young people go through rocky patches — a period of low motivation, uncertainty about next steps, or difficulty managing the pressure of exams and transitions is normal, and not a sign that anything has gone wrong with your parenting. But there are some signs that a young person may need more support:
- Persistent withdrawal from school, college, or social life over several weeks
- Declining attendance that isn’t being addressed by the school or college
- Expressed hopelessness about the future, or a sense that nothing is worth trying
- Undiagnosed or unsupported learning differences that are making education feel impossible
- Physical health complaints — headaches, fatigue, sleep problems — that may have an anxiety or depression component
If you’re concerned, a good first step is a conversation with your young person’s school or college special educational needs lead if learning difficulties may be a factor, or their family doctor if mental health is the worry.
If you’re in the UK: Young Minds (youngminds.org.uk) has practical guidance for parents worried about a young person’s mental health, and their Parents Helpline (0808 802 5544) is free to call. The school or college contact above is the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), and the family doctor is your GP.
If you’re elsewhere: among the most helpful general resources we could find are the Raising Children Network (Australia) and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ parent site, healthychildren.org — both cover teenage mental health and school disengagement, and much of their guidance travels well.
Read more:
Primary data source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Labour Force Survey, October–December 2025.