Reframing NEET: A Policy-Oriented Perspective

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The concept of NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) has become a widely used analytical category in youth studies and social policy research. Rather than representing a homogeneous group, NEET youth encompass diverse life situations shaped by educational pathways, labour market structures and social support systems.

From a policy-oriented perspective, NEET should not be understood merely as an individual-level outcome. Research consistently highlights that prolonged disengagement from education and employment is often associated with structural and institutional factors. These include transitions between education systems, access to guidance and counselling services, and the availability of inclusive labour market measures (Eurofound, 2016).

Comparative policy research indicates that welfare regimes differ considerably in how they conceptualise and address NEET youth. While some policy frameworks primarily emphasise activation measures and employment incentives, others adopt more integrated approaches combining education, social services and family-oriented support mechanisms. Evidence suggests that coordinated and multidimensional policy responses are more likely to address the underlying vulnerabilities associated with NEET status (OECD, 2021).

The NEET category also raises important methodological considerations. Variations in age ranges, duration of disengagement and underlying risk factors across datasets underline the need for cautious interpretation in both policy design and evaluation processes. Treating NEET as a fixed or uniform group may obscure important differences in needs and trajectories (Mascherini et al., 2012).

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This brief reflection approaches NEET as a policy-relevant analytical lens rather than a static social label. Understanding the institutional and contextual dimensions surrounding youth transitions may contribute to more nuanced, evidence-based discussions on social inclusion and long-term outcomes across different welfare contexts.

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📚 References

• Eurofound. (2016). Exploring the diversity of NEETs. Publications Office of the European Union.

• Mascherini, M., Salvatore, L., Meierkord, A., & Jungblut, J. M. (2012). NEETs: Young people not in employment, education or training: Characteristics, costs and policy responses in Europe. European Commission.

• OECD. (2021). Youth and COVID-19: Response, recovery and resilience. OECD Publishing.