Disability and poor health drives number of young people not in work or education to almost a million – Big Issue

Report on Youth Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) in the United Kingdom: An SDG Perspective

1.0 Introduction: The Challenge to Sustainable Development

This report analyses the increasing rate of young people aged 18-24 in the United Kingdom who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET). The trend presents a significant challenge to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 1 (No Poverty). The data indicates a growing detachment from the labour market, exacerbated by health issues, which threatens to create a generation with diminished long-term economic prospects and well-being.

2.0 Key Findings and Alignment with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The UK’s progress towards SDG 8 is undermined by the current NEET situation. The data reveals a systemic failure to ensure full and productive employment for its youth population.

2.1 Statistical Overview

• The NEET rate for 18-24-year-olds in the UK is 15%, which is higher than the European Union average of 12%.
• This rate is significantly higher than in comparable nations such as the Netherlands (5%) and Norway (7%).
• A concerning trend is the increasing detachment from the workforce; 60% of current NEETs have never held a paid job, a substantial increase from 42% in 2005.

2.2 Long-Term Economic Impact (The “Scarring Effect”)

The high NEET rate has profound long-term consequences, directly conflicting with the principles of sustained economic growth outlined in SDG 8.

1. Risk of Poverty (SDG 1): Being NEET at a young age significantly increases the risk of long-term unemployment and lower pay, potentially leading to a “lifetime of lower living standards.”
2. Reduced Productivity: The phenomenon represents a significant loss of potential for the national economy, as a cohort of young people is not contributing to or benefiting from economic growth.

3.0 The Intersection of Health and Employment: A Challenge to SDG 3

The analysis highlights that poor health is a primary driver of youth inactivity, demonstrating a critical link between SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8.

3.1 Health as a Barrier to Employment

• The proportion of NEETs who are inactive due to sickness or disability has more than doubled since 2005.
• Over one in four NEETs are now inactive for health-related reasons, comprising 29% of male NEETs and 26% of female NEETs.
• Experts from The Health Foundation stress that understanding the NEET figures is impossible without considering the worsening health and disability landscape among young people.

3.2 Call for Preventative Action

The data suggests an urgent need for preventative health measures to secure the future well-being and economic potential of young people, in line with SDG 3’s targets. Failure to act risks establishing a lifelong trajectory of ill health and economic exclusion.

4.0 Policy Response and Gaps in SDG Implementation

Government initiatives have been proposed to address youth unemployment, but their scope and effectiveness in relation to the scale of the problem and SDG targets are limited.

4.1 Current Government Initiatives

• A “youth guarantee” has been announced, promising a paid work placement, apprenticeship, training, or employment support for 18- to 21-year-olds.
• This policy includes conditionality, where refusal to participate could lead to the loss of benefits like Universal Credit.

4.2 Identified Policy Gaps

1. Limited Scope: The program specifically targets 18- to 21-year-olds, excluding a large portion of the 950,000-strong 16- to 24-year-old NEET cohort. It also overlooks the challenges faced by those aged 22-24.
2. Exclusion from System: Nearly half (44%) of all NEETs aged 16–24 do not engage with the benefit system and would therefore be outside the scope of this provision.
3. Impact of Educational Inequality (SDG 4 & 10): Disadvantage persists past the age of 21. Individuals aged 22–24 with qualifications at GCSE level or below are three times more likely to be NEET than graduates (30% vs. 9%), highlighting an inequality that the current policy does not fully address.

5.0 Recommendations for a Comprehensive SDG-Aligned Strategy

To effectively tackle the NEET crisis and align with the Sustainable Development Goals, policy must be broadened and refined.

5.1 Proposed Policy Enhancements

• Broaden Access: The Resolution Foundation urges the government to extend the youth guarantee to include 22–24-year-olds, ensuring a more inclusive approach that addresses inequality (SDG 10).
• Improve Health Assessments: Enhance the quality and frequency of work capability assessments for young people on health-related benefits to provide targeted support, directly addressing the link between SDG 3 and SDG 8.
• Targeted Support: Develop strategies to engage the 44% of NEETs who are not in the benefit system, ensuring that support mechanisms reach the most vulnerable and disconnected youth.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article explicitly links the rise in the number of young people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) to health issues. It states, “The proportion of NEETs inactive due to sickness or disability has more than doubled since 2005,” and quotes an expert saying, “The consequences of the worsening health of our country’s young people are becoming crystal clear.” This highlights a direct connection between youth health and their economic and social participation.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article points to a correlation between educational attainment and the likelihood of becoming NEET. It mentions that “Those aged 22–24 whose highest qualification is at GCSE level or below are three times more likely to be NEET than graduates.” Furthermore, government initiatives discussed, such as offering “access to an apprenticeship, training, or employment support,” directly relate to providing quality vocational education and training.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: This is the central theme of the article. The entire discussion revolves around the issue of youth unemployment and economic inactivity, as represented by the NEET rate. The article warns that without support, there is a “risk a cohort of young people slipping through the cracks into a lifetime of lower living standards,” which directly impacts economic growth and the goal of decent work for all.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article focuses on a specific, vulnerable demographic—young people, particularly those with health problems, disabilities, or lower educational qualifications. By highlighting that these groups are disproportionately affected and risk long-term negative outcomes (“scarring effect”), the article addresses the need to reduce inequalities and ensure the social and economic inclusion of all young people.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. The article is fundamentally about this target. It provides the UK’s NEET rate for 18-24-year-olds (15%) and compares it with other countries, directly addressing the “proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.”
• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities… The article’s focus on NEETs directly relates to achieving employment for young people. It also specifically mentions the rising number of young people who are NEET due to “sickness or disability,” connecting the issue to employment for persons with disabilities.
• Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The government’s proposed solutions, such as offering “an apprenticeship, training, or employment support,” are direct measures aimed at increasing the relevant skills of young people to help them secure employment. The article also implies a skills gap by noting that those with lower qualifications are more likely to be NEET.
• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article’s emphasis on the “worsening health of our country’s young people” and the warning that this could “set our young people onto a path of ill health through the rest of their lives” aligns with the goal of promoting health and well-being to prevent long-term negative health outcomes.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, … disability, … or economic or other status. The article discusses the economic exclusion of young people, especially those with health issues or low qualifications. The government’s “youth guarantee” is an attempt to promote the economic inclusion of this group, thereby addressing this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 8.6: Proportion of youth not in education, employment or training (NEET rate). The article explicitly provides this data: “The UK’s NEET rate now stands at 15% for 18–24-year-olds.” It also provides comparative data for the EU (12%), the Netherlands (5%), Norway (7%), and Ireland (8%).
2. Indicator for Target 8.5: Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities. While not a formal unemployment rate, the article provides a specific proxy indicator: “The proportion of NEETs inactive due to sickness or disability has more than doubled since 2005, with over one in four NEETs now inactive for this reason (29% of men and 26% of women).” This measures economic inactivity among young people with health issues.
3. Indicator for Target 4.4: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills… Although not about ICT skills specifically, the article implies an indicator related to educational attainment and employment outcomes: “Those aged 22–24 whose highest qualification is at GCSE level or below are three times more likely to be NEET than graduates (30% versus 9%).” This measures the effectiveness of the education system in preparing youth for the labour market.
4. Other Implied Indicators: The article contains other quantifiable data points that can serve as informal indicators to track the issue:
   • The proportion of NEETs who have never had a paid job: “Sixty per cent of NEETs today have never worked, compared with 42% in 2005.”
   • The proportion of NEETs outside the welfare system: “Nearly half (44%) of all NEETs aged 16–24 do not engage with the benefit system at all.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bigissue.com