The Youth Guarantee, Vulnerability, and Social Exclusion Among NEETs in Southern Europe

This article analysed the characteristics and trends of young people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEETs) in Italy, Portugal, and Spain between 2015 and 2021, with a focus on the Youth Guarantee programme. The research, based on data from the EU Labour Force Survey and EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions, revealed that despite a decline in NEET rates, the proportion of young people outside the labour force has increased, and their vulnerability to poverty and social exclusion remains a concern, especially among those with family responsibilities who are primarily young women. The study also found that the most at-risk NEET sub-groups, including long-term unemployed and those with family responsibilities, have limited engagement with public employment services, highlighting the need for targeted support to address their labour market re-integration challenges.

Written by Niall O’Higgins, Kate Brockie