Research aims to improve conditions for young NEETs
- Pedro Simão Mendes
- Sep 29
- 5 min read
A review of studies reveals that NEET youth are more likely to suffer from anxiety, sadness, and isolation. Research suggests that support from family, friends, and training programs can make a difference in the well-being and future of these young people.
Young people between the ages of 15 and 29 who are not in education, employment, or training are commonly referred to by the acronym NEET. Their disengagement from employment and education is associated with several negative consequences in the social, economic, and mental health spheres. According to Eurofound data, failing to integrate these young people into the labor market also has a substantial cost for the European economy. It is therefore important to develop more appropriate measures and services to support this segment of the population, promoting their development and social and economic integration.
In a literature review, scientists from the University of Porto and Iscte-Lisbon University Institute identified and categorized existing scientific evidence on the psychological characteristics of young NEETs. Ten studies were analyzed, covering a total of almost 20,000 young NEETs. In general, the literature on these young people has not focused on the study of their psychological characteristics and, when it does, it gives more attention to the study of their difficulties than to more positive characteristics, such as resilience. “Our literature review started from a universe of more than 1,000 scientific articles, but only ten focused on the psychological characteristics of these young people,” explains researcher Francisco Simões, from the Center for Psychological Research and Social Intervention (CIS-Iscte) and co-author of this work. “Without understanding the characteristics of this population, it becomes very difficult to develop engaging strategies that respond to their needs,” he explains.
The results of the analysis indicate that being NEET is globally associated with poor mental health. For example, young people with psychological disorders are more likely to be unemployed and not in education or training. NEET youth are more likely to smoke and use drugs, which is more evident among males. In addition, the experience of being a NEET youth is often associated with negative emotions, including sadness, anxiety, tension, fear, and discomfort. From a more positive point of view, “the importance of social support was also identified, which was associated with high levels of self-esteem and better mental health in these young people,” says Francisco Simões.
Well-being of NEET youth in Southern Europe
These data are consistent with previous data observed in Portugal, Spain, and Italy, published in 2024 as part of the European project “Track-IN: Public employment services tracking effectiveness in supporting rural NEETs”, led by researcher Francisco Simões. This study assessed how individual and social factors influence the life satisfaction of young NEETs, using Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model, which includes different contextual levels, from the individual system to the micro-, meso-, eso- and macrosystems. The research team questioned young NEETs registered with Public Employment Services about their self-efficacy (individual level), social support from family and friends (microsystem), nearby services and resources, namely Public Employment Services (meso- and ecosystems), cultural dispositions, beliefs, values, and forms of governance (macrosystem).
The results of the study indicate that higher perceptions of social support and self-efficacy were positively associated with greater life satisfaction. In addition, social support from family, friends, and significant others plays a key role in compensating for limitations in institutional support, thereby improving well-being. “The data from this project, and from this study in particular, underscore the importance of working together with social support structures and employment institutions closest to NEETs to promote their well-being and increase their self-efficacy,” explains Leonor Correia Bettencourt, associate researcher at CIS-Iscte. The research team warns, however, of the need for further research to understand the heterogeneity of NEETs to develop interventions that consider the specific context of each country, but also within each region.
Young NEETs in rural areas face additional challenges
The difficulties experienced by young NEETs seem to be exacerbated for those in rural areas, where context-appropriate opportunities for employment or training are scarce. In Portugal, one such region is the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
In these contexts, working with vocational education and training (VET) institutions becomes crucial. In this regard, another study conducted at Iscte analyzed VET policies in the Azores, using a participatory approach. Through sessions involving trainers, trainees, institutional representatives, unemployed young people, and entrepreneurs, the research team identified three main priorities for restructuring these policies, as proposed by the participants. First, it is necessary to develop ways to disseminate a more positive image of vocational education, enhancing its value. Second, all parties involved (e.g., public and private schools) should coordinate horizontally through effective communication that allows for the creation of coordinated training plans. Finally, vertical coordination is important to allow for the updating of curricula, funding models, and investments in human capital.
Compared to 2020, the number of NEETs in the Azores has significantly decreased. Nevertheless, public VET policies need to keep pace with changes in the labor market in the European context. The OVER-SEES: VET Excellence Leadership for the Twin Transition in European Islands project aims to do just that. Funded under the European Commission's Erasmus+ program “Centers of Vocational Excellence” (CoVE), the project aims to work alongside young people, VET institutions, companies, and governments in four European island regions to empower young people, create vocational education offerings aligned with regional priorities, encourage business cooperation, and create integrated management structures to strengthen the regional VET ecosystem.
A career dedicated to promoting youth-focused initiatives across Europe
Francisco Simões has been researching the NEET youth population in rural areas, coordinating an international network of researchers: the Rural NEET Youth Network, funded by the COST Association (ref. CA18213). This network is now the European Rural Youth Observatory, composed of representatives from various sectors, including academia, industry, and private non-profit organizations, whose goal is to empower rural youth across Europe.
In 2024, the network led by Francisco Simões was again funded by the COST Association with a COST Innovators Grant to develop a strategic foresight toolbox. This recent project, Future Youth Information for Rural Areas, involves 14 European countries and aims to generate knowledge and tools to anticipate and respond to the needs and aspirations of rural youth.
In addition, in January 2024, the CIS-Iscte researcher joined the Pool of European Youth Researchers (PEYR), a group of experts who contribute to the development of European youth policies. Also last year, he was appointed coordinator of a Council of Europe study in collaboration with the European Union aimed at conducting a transnational analysis of policies and services for young people living in rural areas. This study will be published in 2025 by Youth Partnership, a think-tank of the Council of Europe and the European Commission for youth issues. More recently, Francisco Simões secured €4 million in funding for the OVER-SEES project, which, in addition to the Azores, involves the West Region in Ireland, the Aegean Islands in Greece, and Sicily in Italy.
Text written by Pedro Simão Mendes (Science Communication Manager)
