Chile reports 21.6% of youth aged 25-34 are neither studying nor working

In Chile, recent data from the Labor and Pension Barometer for the May-July 2026 quarter reveals that 21.6% of individuals aged 25 to 34 are neither studying nor working. Additionally, over 20% of this age group continues to live with their parents.

Experts suggest these figures reflect broader systemic issues rather than individual failings. Factors contributing to this trend include limited job opportunities, domestic care responsibilities, and interrupted educational trajectories. Daniela Estobar, an academic at Universidad Andrés Bello, noted that restricted opportunities can delay personal projects and life decisions.

This issue is also a concern across Latin America. Organizations such as CEPAL and the ILO have highlighted that the transition from education to employment is heavily influenced by socioeconomic conditions, gender, and caregiving duties, noting that the term ‘nini’ may fail to account for youth engaged in unpaid domestic work.