Social isolation and disadvantage drive high NEET rates among youth

New research and digital tools are highlighting the complex drivers behind the number of young people in the UK who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

Research indicates that social isolation during childhood—defined as being cut off from peers and social interactions—is a significant factor in shaping future job prospects and education levels. This differs from loneliness, which is a subjective feeling of mismatch between desired and actual social connections.

Simultaneously, the charity Impetus has launched an interactive digital tool to map NEET rates across England. The data reveals that young people facing overlapping disadvantages are significantly more vulnerable. Specifically, those eligible for free school meals, who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and who leave school without five GCSE passes are 171% more likely to be NEET than the average. Other risk factors include SEND status, which increases likelihood by 80%, and low qualification levels, which increases it by 77%.