In Italy, the majority of young Neet, those who do not study, do not have a profession or receive training, work illegally, with an even higher percentage in large cities. According to the “Lost in transition” report by the National Youth Council, half of young people between 15 and 29, not included in training or professional paths, declare that they are economically independent through irregular jobs.
For years there has been talk of an ever-growing group of young people (between 15 and 29 years old) who do not work and do not study and which places our country at the top of the European rankings, due to demerit: 16.1% against the European average of 11.2%. But a new study (“Lost in transition” by the National Youth Council) tells a very different story. Young people work, but in an undeclared way, especially in large cities.
In 2023, Italian Neets numbered 2.1 million. By definition, they are people between the ages of 15 and 29 who, at least on paper, are not enrolled in an educational, training or university program, do not work or have undertaken job-seeking activities (Not in education, employment nor training). Italy is second in Europe in terms of percentage value (16.1%), only behind Romania (19.8%) in terms of the number of unproductive young people. A phenomenon that costs the Italian state approximately 1.4% of GDP, over 25 billion euros per year.
But in reality not all NEETs are really NEETs. According to the report of the National Youth Council (CNG), over 7 out of ten young people (74.8%) classified as NEETs actually work, illegally. And in large cities the figure reaches 9 out of ten (88.9%). Half of young people between 15 and 29 who are not enrolled in training or professional courses and who live in cities declare that through undeclared work they have achieved economic independence from their family. For 50%, therefore, it is not a question of occasional jobs, but of work that gives independence, but done irregularly.
An Italy divided: between big cities and provinces. The difference based on the place of residence is also present in terms of education. 65.3% of young people living in metropolises have a diploma or degree, compared to 9.6% of their peers living in rural areas. And where you live also affects your social life. 72% of NEETs living in metropolitan areas meet peer groups every day. This drops to 52% in inland areas. And for sports it is the same: 59.3% against 34%. The same situation for the time spent playing video games: 58.8% against 35%. And what do the famous NEETs say about themselves? One in three experiences the condition of “neither work nor study” as a temporary break and almost half show interest in starting an activity related to their studies or learning a new job, especially in cities. “Unlike the NEETs in metropolitan areas, those in internal areas suffer more from the lack of opportunities, living their condition with greater resignation. We need to think about the need for targeted interventions to provide concrete opportunities and build adequate support networks for each person. We need to work to promote policies that enhance the initiative of young people, offering them the tools and resources necessary to build a more stable future” commented Maria Cristina Pisani, the president of the National Youth Council.
Those 2.1 million Italian NEETs are therefore on “pause” and in most cases, especially in the cities, they are actually undeclared, precarious workers.
