Youth Unemployment and Education Challenges in England: Latest Statistics and Political Trends
Between July and September 2025, approximately 946,000 young people aged 16 to 24 in England were neither working nor studying, representing more than 10% of this cohort. Overall, around one million young people are classified as NEET (not in education, employment, or training), with higher rates observed in the North East and East of England.
Gender and health disparities are evident in this demographic, as NEETs are more likely to be male. Additionally, over half of this group have a health condition, and about 20% have mental health issues. Employment patterns show that 16 to 24-year-olds are nearly six times more likely to be on zero-hours contracts than older age groups.
Political polling by More in Common reveals that the Green Party is the most popular among under-30s. Among young men, the Reform Party and Greens are tied at around 20%, with Labour holding approximately 30%. Reform leads among young men without degrees.
Looking ahead, the government plans to introduce a Youth Guarantee policy, aiming to provide paid work to those who have been without work or study for 18 months, with further details to be announced soon by Pat McFadden. Additionally, Alan Milburn is set to publish a government-commissioned review on these issues next year.
