UK Youth Unemployment Nears Crisis Point: 957,000 NEETs in Late 2025
Youth Unemployment Nears Crisis Point in the UK
Recent data reveals a stark rise in young people aged 16-24 not in education, employment, or training, reaching 957,000 in late 2025, up from 946,000 just months prior. This troubling trend, highlighted by official statistics, signals deepening challenges for those at the career starting line amid a faltering job market.[1]
Key Statistics and Rising Pressures
Among these, 411,000 young individuals are unemployed, a sharp increase of 45,000 quarterly, with youth unemployment hitting 16.1%—the highest in a decade, though not unprecedented.[2][3] Men face 13.3% NEET rates, women 12.2%, compounded by economic inactivity. Employers, wary of higher costs and uncertainty, are curtailing entry-level hires, stalling first job opportunities and wage growth now easing to 4.2%.[2]
Long-Term Implications for the Next Generation
This slowdown risks scarring young careers, delaying earnings and progression in a weak economy pushing unemployment to 5.2%. Urgent policy action is needed to reignite hiring and training, preventing a lost generation from the job market's grip.[1][2]
