Number of young people who are NEET at 9-year low

The number of young people who are NEET in England is at the lowest level for 9 years, figures released on 21 August 2014 show. The number of teenagers (16 to 18 years old) who are NEET is at a record low.

The number of 16- to 24-year-olds who were NEET in April to June 2014 fell to the lowest comparable level since 2005. The number and proportion of teenagers who were NEET is at its lowest comparable level since consistent records began in 2000.

These figures show that in the second quarter of 2014 (April to June) compared to the same period in 2013 the proportion of:

• young people who were NEET had fallen by 1.9 percentage points to 13.6%, down 125,000 to the lowest number and rate since 2005
• 19- to 24-year-olds who were NEET had fallen by 2.2 percentage points to 16%, a reduction of 104,000
• 16- to 18-year-olds who were NEET had fallen by 1.1 percentage points to 8%, which is down by 22,000

The statistics reveal that there are now 7,000 fewer 16- to 18-year-olds who are NEET than when comparable records began in 2000. There are also 91,000 fewer than when 16- to 18-year-old NEET levels peaked in 2009.

Skills Minister Nick Boles said:

Today’s figures are hugely encouraging and show how this government’s reforms are properly equipping young people for life in modern Britain.

With the number of young people not in education, employment or training at their lowest levels for 9 years we are seeing the huge progress being made to ensure they have the skills to pursue high-quality careers.

Source: gov.uk