Understanding economic inactivity and NEET status among young women

Young women in the UK and France who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and economically inactive (EI) face significant challenges. This research suggests that these women often experience poverty, long-term welfare dependency, and poor living standards, and are largely isolated from the labour market and education. Factors such as childcare responsibilities, limited access to affordable childcare, and precarious job opportunities contribute to their difficulties in finding sustainable employment. To address these issues, policymakers need to develop more comprehensive strategies that go beyond traditional employment initiatives and focus on tackling the underlying barriers that prevent young women from accessing good quality jobs.

Written by Magali Danner, Christine Guégnard, Sue Maguire