An estimated 23,000 young people in Northern Ireland were not in education, employment or training (NEET) between January and March 2026, representing 11.6 per cent of those aged 16 to 24, according to new figures published today by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA). This marks an increase of 1.9 percentage points from the previous quarter, when the rate stood at 9.7 per cent.
There were an estimated 23,000 young people aged 16 to 24 years in Northern Ireland who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in January to March 2026. This was equivalent to 11.6% of all those aged 16 to 24 years in NI, an increase of 1.9 percentage points from the previous quarter (9.7% in October to December 2025).
The data reveals a persistent gender disparity, with young men significantly more likely to be NEET than young women. According to the Labour Force Survey:
The NEET rate among males aged 16 to 24 was 13.1% and among females was 9.9% in January to March 2026. The number who were NEET increased by 3,000 from the previous quarter and increased by 4,000 over the year; these changes were not statistically significant.
Economic Inactivity Accounts for Majority
Of the 23,000 young people classified as NEET, the majority are not actively seeking work. The figures indicate that 18,000 are economically inactive—meaning they are not looking for work and/or not available to start work—while the remainder are unemployed and actively job-seeking.
In January to March 2026 there were an estimated 18,000 young people aged 16 to 24 years who were not in education, employment or training and who were not looking for work and/or not available to start work (economically inactive). The remainder of those who were not in education, employment or training were looking for work in the previous four weeks and available to start within the next two weeks (unemployed).
Under the Labour Force Survey definitions used by NISRA, a person is considered to be in education or training if enrolled on a course, undertaking an apprenticeship, participating in a government-supported employment or training programme, working or studying towards a qualification, or having received job-related training in the last four weeks. Unemployed individuals are those who have sought work in the past four weeks and are available to start within the next two weeks, while economic inactivity covers those not seeking or not available for work, including students and those caring for dependents.
Sampling Variability and Data Context
Statisticians caution that quarterly fluctuations should be interpreted carefully. The Labour Force Survey is subject to sampling variability, meaning different samples would produce different results.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a sample survey and, as such, estimates obtained from it are subject to sampling variability. If we drew many samples, each would give a different result. Quarterly changes should be considered within longer term trends.
The statistics have also been affected by reweighting exercises implemented in December 2024 to incorporate more recent population estimates, affecting data from January-March 2019 to July-September 2024.
Policy Questions and Future Monitoring
The increase raises questions about youth engagement, particularly given that nearly four in five NEET young people are economically inactive rather than unemployed. With the next quarterly tables due for release in August 2026, observers will monitor whether this uptick represents a temporary fluctuation or a sustained shift requiring targeted intervention.
The Department for the Economy welcomes feedback on the statistics, which can be directed to Patrick O’Kane, Responsible Statistician at the Economic & Labour Market Statistics Branch, via [email protected] or telephone 028 9025 5161. The next quarterly NEET tables will be published on the NISRA website in August 2026.