More and more NEETs in Poland – an alarming trend or a temporary increase?
- dariakalenikova
- Sep 11
- 2 min read
The NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) phenomenon—young people aged 15–34 who are not working, studying, or participating in any training programs—is becoming increasingly visible in Poland. According to a report by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP), in 2023, this group would comprise one in ten young Poles (10.1% of the population in that age group).
🔍 Who falls into the NEET group?
Women: almost twice as many women as men (13.4% vs. 6.9%).
Younger people: in the 20-24 age group, the NEET rate is 10-12%.
Rural and small town residents: Difficult access to education and employment contributes to higher NEET rates in these regions.
How is NEET different from unemployed?
Although the phenomena are similar, there is a key difference:
The unemployed are people who are actively seeking work and are ready to take it.
NEETs are not participating in education or training and often do not seek employment. They may be inactive due to health or family problems, lack of qualifications, or low motivation.
In other words, every NEET is not unemployed, but every unemployed person is an active participant in the labour market.
🧭 Causes and consequences
Reasons for being NEET:
Health or family problems,
lack of professional experience,
inadequate educational opportunities,
employment instability.
Consequences:
Social isolation,
difficulty finding work in the future,
increased risk of poverty.
🛠️ Possible solutions
Adapting educational offerings – programs that meet the needs of the labor market.
Support for young people – mentoring, career counseling, career coaching.
Collaboration with employers – internships, apprenticeships, and skill development programs.
Support programs for individuals with health or family issues.
Although Poland compares favorably with the EU in terms of NEET rates, the growing number of young people outside of education and the labor market should be a wake-up call. Collaboration between public institutions, employers, and non-governmental organizations can help young people integrate into the labor market and education.
