Young People are Losing the Desire to Work: Why is the NEET Rate Rising?

Young People Lack Job Search Enthusiasm: NEET Rate is Rising in Turkey

Director of Bahçeşehir University's Center for Economic and Societal Research (BETAM) Prof. Dr. Seyfettin Gürsel and Dr. Saliha Tanrıverdi have published the latest research, revealing that the young workforce in Turkey is experiencing serious problems. According to the study titled "A Multi-dimensional Analysis of NEET (Neither in Education nor in Employment) in the Young Generation," Turkey holds the position of having the highest NEET rate in Europe (i.e., young people who are neither in education nor employed).

NEET Rate in Turkey and Young People Not Looking for Jobs

As of 2024, the NEET rate among those aged 15–24 is recorded at 22.9%. This rate places Turkey in the first position among European Union countries. There is a striking existence of deep structural employment and education problems. However, the most striking finding is that the vast majority of NEET youth are not looking for jobs. This rate is particularly high among women; approximately 80% of young women respond that they are "taking care of children" or "busy with household chores."

Reasons for the NEET Group: Willingness to Work and Economic Expectations

Across Turkey, it is revealed that only 632 thousand NEET youths are actively job searching, while most do not apply because they believe they will not be able to find work. The NEET group indicates that approximately half a million young people have lost their desire to seek employment. Among the reasons for not looking for jobs, the fear of being unable to find a job that matches their profession or offers an acceptable salary stands out.

Young People's Salary Expectations: Demand above Minimum Wage

According to BETAM's annual Istanbul Labor Market survey, most young people want to respond to job offers with a salary above the minimum wage. However, this situation exacerbates the difficulties faced by many company executives in hiring young people at minimum wage.

Employment Issues and Gender Inequality

NEET rates also exhibit regional differences. Particularly, in the Southeastern and Eastern Anatolia, this rate rises to 31.5% and 28.3%, respectively. Therefore, the disengagement of young people from the labor force has negative impacts on the job market.

Proposed Solutions: Ensuring Equal Opportunities in Education

Finally, initiatives aimed at extending the education periods of young people affected by socio-economic factors and supporting their job search processes after graduation are critically important for the country's development efforts.