The European statistics bureau (Eurostat) revealed Thursday that 17.3% of European youth aged 20 to 24 were not working or studying or being trained in 2015. On the occasion of International Youth Day Friday, Eurostat brought attention to those called NEET. Belgium is slightly above the European average, with a NEET rate of 17.5% last year.
The proportion of NEET increases with age, declared Eurostat. In the European Union, the NEET rates went from 6.3% for those aged 15 to 19, to 19.7% for those 25 to 29 in 2015. In the 20-24 range, this rate has increased in the past ten years from 16.3% in 2006 to 17.3% in 2015.
Belgium’s position is just above the European average (with a NEET rate of 17.5%). In 2006, this rate was16.3%. Most Belgian youth in this age bracket are however studying (42.3%), while in 2006 most were working.
The NEET proportion is highest in Italy (31.1%) and in Greece (26.1%). These two countries also have the highest increases, with +9.5 and +9.3 percentage points (pp) respectively.
On the other extreme of the table are the Netherlands (7.2% NEET) and Luxemburg (8.8%). The most considerable decreases were registered in Germany (down to 9.3% from 15.2% 2006, which is -5.9 pp) and in Bulgaria (-5.3 pp).
(Source: Belga)
