Growing up in poverty triples young people’s likelihood of becoming NEET

Young people who grow up experiencing persistent poverty are more than three times as likely to be not in education, employment or training (NEET) at 17 or 23 (3.3 and 3.4 times, respectively), according to new analysis of the UK Millennium Cohort Study by the University of Liverpool and the University of Manchester, commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The research found that young people who grew up in persistent poverty were also much less likely to transition out of NEET status. More than half (56%) of young people who were NEET at 17 and had experienced persistent poverty remained so at 23. In comparison, only 1 in 3 (33%) of young people who never experienced poverty as a child and were NEET at 17 remained so at 23.

Dr. Nicholas Adjei, senior research fellow in public health at the University of Liverpool, said, “Our findings highlight the importance of taking a life-course perspective when understanding why some young people become NEET. Experiences of poverty accumulate across childhood and adolescence, shaping educational trajectories, well-being and access to opportunities over time.

“Persistent poverty not only increases the likelihood of becoming NEET but also makes it much harder for young people to move out of that status later on. This shows the need for early, sustained support for young people throughout different stages of their lives, rather than focusing only on short-term responses once they are already struggling.”

Iain Porter, senior policy adviser at JRF, said, “The government is right to try and get to the bottom of why so many young people aren’t earning or learning. But there is a piece of the puzzle that often gets missed: poverty. This research shows that there is a clear link between growing up in poverty and being locked out of education and work.

“To break this cycle, it’s essential that the government tackles the root causes of the problem. We need to ensure that young people grow up in families that can afford the essentials to live a good life, so that instead of being distracted by survival, they can thrive at school, college and in the world of work.”

Professor David Taylor-Robinson, professor of public health and policy at the University of Liverpool, said, “The UK has persistently higher child poverty rates than many comparable countries, and this matters because poverty drives a wide range of interconnected problems that shape young people’s lives long before they become NEET.

“Our evidence shows how childhood poverty and adversity contribute to poorer mental health, reduced educational attainment and a greater risk of long-term economic insecurity and welfare dependency in adulthood. We cannot seriously address high NEET rates without concerted action on child poverty.”

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