Navigating uncertainty: understanding the career challenges faced by NEETs

The Early Careers Survey 2026 reveals the challenges faced by those not in education, employment or training, and emphasises the need for targeted support for this group

Between 8 January and 9 February 2026, nearly 5,000 respondents took part in our Early Careers Survey, offering a snapshot of their career plans and experiences over the last 12 months. Among them, 12% reported that they were not in education, employment or training (NEETs) when surveyed.

This article explores NEET respondents' career plans, how confident they felt about achieving them, and who they turned to for careers advice.

Ethnic minority respondents over-represented among NEETs

These survey respondents tended to be older, with 33% aged 18 to 24 and 28% aged 25 to 34, with another 37% aged 35 or above. In comparison, half (47%) of those in education, employment, or training or were aged 18 to 24, and just 27% were over 35.1

While they were less likely to have a degree than others, most NEETs in our survey were university graduates. In fact, 77% indicated that they had an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. The majority (66%) of those with a degree graduated more than a year before being surveyed.

NEET respondents were more likely to be from an ethnic minority background, with 50% being white, compared with 58% of those in education, employment or training. Notably, Black respondents were significantly overrepresented among NEETs in our survey - some 22% were Black compared with 16% among those who were in education, employment or training.

Similarly, among 18 to 24-year-olds, only 50% of those who were NEET were white, compared with 56% of those who were in education, employment or training. Black respondents were also over-represented among NEETs in this younger age group, accounting for 23%. By comparison, among those in education, employment or training, 12% were Black.

Moreover, NEETs were 1.4 times more likely to say that their day-to-day activities were limited by a health condition or disability - 34% indicated this when surveyed. This is perhaps unsurprising, given the well-documented barriers that disabled individuals face when transitioning from education into employment.2,3

These findings underscore the need for more targeted support and inclusive pathways to reduce the disproportionate risk of becoming NEET among ethnic minority and disabled young people. This is particularly important given the well-established long-term consequences of early labour market detachment.

Evidence suggests that prolonged periods of joblessness can discourage young people from actively seeking work, making it increasingly difficult to re-engage with the labour market.4

Furthermore, experiencing a period as NEET can have lasting effects on labour market outcomes: individuals who remain NEET for extended periods often face greater challenges securing employment and, even when they do enter work, tend to experience lower earnings throughout their careers.5 As a result, inequalities in NEET participation risk translating into persistent inequalities in employment prospects and lifetime earnings.

Most NEETs sought careers advice in 2025

,NEET,NEET (18-24),Short-term NEET (<1 year),Long-term NEET (?1 year),Non-NEET
Careers websites,61,75,71,49,53
Printed guides magazines or leaflets,12,8,10,15,9
Social media or forums,36,45,41,30,33
AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT or Copilot),34,37,39,29,28
Podcasts,10,10,11,8,10
Friends,37,44,42,30,34
Family,39,54,46,32,36
Teachers/lecturers,24,39,32,15,34
Careers professionals (e.g. careers adviser or life coach),40,48,47,30,35
Industry professionals,24,28,29,18,26
Work colleagues,16,14,18,13,22
I did not actively seek careers advice in 2024,14,6,8,23,12

Most NEET respondents reported seeking careers advice in 2025, with only 14% saying they had not actively pursued any form of support.

A closer examination of the data reveals clear differences by duration of NEET status. Those who had been out of employment, education or training for less than a year were typically the most engaged in seeking support, making greater use of most careers advice sources than both longer-term NEETs and those in employment, education or training. This trend was especially evident among 18 to 24-year-olds.

These findings echo results from last year's Early Careers Survey, which found that NEETs were more likely than their peers to engage with CV and job application support, suggesting that many remain highly motivated to enter or re-enter the workforce despite being outside employment, education or training.

In contrast, older NEETs, particularly those who had been out of employment, education or training for a year or longer, reported substantially lower levels of engagement with careers support. Long-term NEETs were more likely than other groups to seek advice from printed guides, magazines or leaflets. For all other sources except AI tools, they were the least likely group to seek support.

This pattern may point to a growing risk of disengagement among those who remain NEET for extended periods. While many recently unemployed or inactive young people in our survey appear to be actively seeking routes back into work or education, longer spells outside employment, education and training may be associated with reduced engagement with support services, particularly careers professionals, industry professionals, teachers and work colleagues – sources that consistently rank among the most valuable.6

This reduced engagement can make re-entry into the labour market more challenging, potentially compounding the disadvantages already associated with extended periods outside employment, education and training.

Recent NEETs strong desire to enter the workforce

The contrast between recently and longer-term NEETs is also reflected in the challenges they reported. Compared with those in employment, education or training, NEETs were more likely than others to report difficulties across almost every measure included in the survey, with the exception of balancing commitments.7

,NEET,NEET (18-24),Short-term NEET (<1 year),Long-term NEET (?1 year),Non-NEET
Keeping motivated in my studies or job/job search,49,63,56,39,42
Feeling optimistic about my career prospects,46,50,48,45,44
Taking care of my mental health,43,45,43,44,42
Money,53,53,54,52,52
Getting work experience,33,42,37,27,28
Getting a job,54,58,60,47,52
Balancing commitments (such as work or family),30,28,33,28,31
Choosing the right career path for me,45,50,47,44,42
Other,9,6,7,10,10
I have not had any big challenges,3,1,1,6,4

The challenges reported were particularly pronounced among NEETs aged 18 to 24 and those who had been out of employment, education or training for less than a year. These groups were substantially more likely than others to report struggling to find a job or gain work experience. They were also more likely to report difficulties choosing the right career path, maintaining their mental health, staying motivated and feeling optimistic about their career prospects.

While these findings highlight the significant barriers faced by many NEETs, they may also reflect a strong determination to enter or re-enter employment or education. NEET respondents were 1.7 times more likely than others to report that starting or applying for a job was their planned next step. As a result, they may be particularly attuned to the challenges and constraints they perceive as affecting their prospects.

Long-term NEETs were generally less likely than other NEET respondents to report experiencing major challenges in 2025. Notably, they were less likely to say they struggled to stay motivated in their job search or to feel optimistic about their career prospects as well.

Rather than indicating an absence of barriers, these findings may point to a degree of disengagement from the labour market, with some longer-term NEETs appearing less actively focused on job searching than those more recently out of employment, education or training.

NEET respondents less positive about career prospects

Predictably, given their struggles to find work and stay optimistic about their career prospects, NEET respondents (50%) were less likely than those in employment or training when surveyed (62%) to say that they were feeling 'very' or 'fairly' certain about their career plans. They were also 1.8 times as likely to express negative feelings about their career prospects, with 34% of NEET respondents indicating this - compared with 19%.

,NEET,NEET (18-24),Short-term NEET (<1 year),Long-term NEET (?1 year),Non-NEET
Economic changes,42,40,41,43,38
Changes to UK immigration policy,13,12,15,12,13
Cost-of-living crisis,53,53,55,51,52
Commitment to net zero (reducing greenhouse gas emissions),6,4,6,6,7
Job automation,36,43,36,37,30
Availability of apprenticeships,21,26,21,23,19
Availability of jobs,75,85,83,64,70
Mental health,43,40,42,43,34
Physical health,24,8,18,33,18
Where you live,49,49,51,47,43
None of the above,5,4,3,7,8

Moreover, when asked what had influenced their feelings about their career prospects, NEET respondents were more likely than those in employment, education or training to identify job availability, their mental and physical health, and job automation as important factors.

Similarly, they were slightly more likely to feel that developments in AI had reduced their career opportunities (39% versus 34%). This feeling was particularly prevalent among 18 to 24-year-olds, almost half of whom (48%) felt that AI had negatively affected their prospects, a finding that is consistent with the broader pattern suggesting that younger and more recently NEET respondents appear particularly attuned to factors they perceive as affecting their employment prospects.

Interestingly, NEET respondents were more negative about AI's impact on their career prospects despite being just as likely to have received advice on the topic, which is typically associated with greater confidence about AI and the future of work.8

Targeted support for NEETs is essential

The findings from this survey highlight the complex challenges faced by NEET respondents - ranging from limited job opportunities and lower levels of confidence in their career prospects, to higher rates of disability.

Despite these barriers, many are actively seeking guidance through a wide range of channels, demonstrating both resilience and a strong desire to move forward. To ensure these individuals are not left behind, there is a pressing need for more inclusive, accessible, and targeted careers support that addresses the specific needs of those most at risk.

Also in this series:

• What the data tells us about NEETs seeking employment
• Information gap exists for NEETs who want to study

Notes:

1. Those still in mandatory schooling (13 to 17 years of age) were excluded from this analysis.
2. Employment levels among graduates with disabilities, Luminate, 2024.
3. What Happens Next, AGCAS, 2026.
4. Education at a glance, OECD, 2024.
5. Ibid.
6. Early Careers Survey, Luminate, 2026.
7. NEET respondents with caring responsibilities were more likely than other respondents to report difficulties balancing commitments.
8. Early Careers Survey, Luminate, 2026.

Written by

Micha-Shannon Smith

Information analyst

Prospects Luminate