Youth not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET)
摘要
The youth ‘Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET)’ category are individuals who are disconnected from both educational and employment opportunities, posing significant challenges to global socio-economic development. Globally, NEET rates have fluctuated but remained alarmingly high, affecting over 1.3 billion young people, with females disproportionately represented. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these trends, amplifying unemployment and hindering educational access. This chapter explores the prevalence, trends, and determinants of NEET youth in India. In India, with its vast youth population, NEET rates have risen, particularly among females and those from marginalised backgrounds. Factors contributing to NEET status include educational attainment, gender norms, marital status, and household income levels. Econometric analyses reveal that young females, urban residents, older youth, and individuals from lower-income and marginalised social groups are more likely to be in NEET category. These findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions to integrate NEET youth into productive employment and educational pathways.