Germany is seeing a rise in the number of young people who are neither employed nor pursuing an education. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the share of 20-to-24-year-olds falling into the NEET category (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) has reached 10%, up from 8.8% in 2022.
Experts point out that this group is not a monolith. Magdalena Polloczek of the Hans Böckler Foundation emphasizes that many of these individuals are actively seeking apprenticeships or training positions but face significant hurdles in the labor market. In the long term, this poses a threat to the availability of skilled professionals.
The 2024 National Education Report indicates that 66% of this group is economically inactive. The primary reasons cited include caregiving responsibilities (20%), health issues (18%), and waiting for enrollment in educational programs (17%). The issue disproportionately affects young women (10.5%) compared to men (9.6%).
Economist Enzo Weber describes the situation as a "renewal crisis," highlighting record-low job creation rates. He warns that a difficult career start can have a lasting negative impact on a young person's future professional life. Despite the increase in the NEET rate, Germany maintains one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in the EU, standing at 7.1% as of June 2026.
