Overview
- An estimated 12.8% of 16–24 year‑olds were not in education, employment or training in October to December 2025, up slightly from 946,000 the previous quarter to 957,000.
- ONS officials said the quarterly rise was driven by higher youth unemployment, with those NEET and unemployed up by 45,000 to 411,000 as economic inactivity fell.
- The increase was largely among young women, with 12.2% classed as NEET by year‑end, though men still accounted for a larger share by count (about 510,000 men versus 448,000 women).
- Youth joblessness in this age group is about 16.1% versus roughly 5.2% overall, with weaker entry‑level hiring reported in sectors such as hospitality and on graduate schemes.
- The government points to a youth guarantee offering paid placements after 18 months out of work or education, while debate intensifies over minimum wage alignment and employer costs, and ONS notes these are official statistics in development with greater volatility.