The phenomenon of young people who neither study nor work, known as “NEETs” (short for Not in Employment, Education, or Training), has been one of the main axes of social and economic debate in Colombia for more than a decade, as in other countries. For years, this population category represented a persistent concern for analysts, educators, and authorities, as it encapsulated the lack of real opportunities for millions of young people between the ages of 15 and 28.
However, the most recent figures from the Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE) point to a significant shift in this trend: In October of this year, the number of NEETs stood at 2.3 million, the lowest figure recorded in the past eight years. This decline raises not only evidence of quantitative progress, but also questions about the quality of labor and educational inclusion in the country, as well as the structural factors that have shaped young people’s participation in the labor market and in formal education.
Although the reduction in the number of young people who neither study nor work could be read as a sign of improvement, the data also show that this group continues to represent a considerable proportion of the population at that stage of life. The trajectory during 2025 reflects a gradual decline: The year began with figures above 2.6 million, reached a peak of 2.74 million in February, and since then has been steadily decreasing until reaching 2.3 million in the August–October moving quarter.
The last time a similar level was recorded was in October 2017, when the number of NEETs stood at 2.28 million.
Colombia posts its lowest NEET rate in eight years
The decline in the number of “NEETs” in Colombia, while noteworthy from a numerical standpoint, cannot be interpreted solely as an unequivocal success. Part of this reduction is linked to broader demographic and social changes that affect the composition of the young population.
Demography experts point out that factors such as declining birth rates in recent years and the emigration of young people abroad have reduced the 15-to-28 age group, which indirectly contributes to a downward trend in the absolute number of NEETs. As a result, although the data reflect a drop in the figures, a detailed analysis must consider whether this represents a genuine improvement in young people’s integration into education or work, or simply a statistical effect caused by changes in the population structure.
Of the 11.17 million young people in that age group, around 20.6% are neither studying nor working, indicating that 1 in 5 people of productive age remains outside the formal education and employment circuits. Likewise, gender gaps persist markedly: Of the 2.3 million NEETs, approximately 1.57 million are women and about 722,000 are men, meaning that women account for more than 68% of this group.
This pattern suggests that, although progress has been made, the specific barriers faced by young women in accessing educational and labor opportunities still require structural attention and targeted public policies.
The reasons why millions of young people are excluded from both the education system and the labor market are complex and multifaceted. Economists and sociologists have noted that structural factors — such as unequal access to quality education, the disconnect between educational offerings and labor market demand, and families’ economic constraints — play a decisive role.
Many families struggle to afford tuition, transportation, and educational materials, which reduces the chances that young people will remain in the education system or train for more formal and better-paid jobs.
Likewise, conditions in the Colombian labor market, marked by high levels of informality, lead many young people to accept precarious jobs with no benefits or low wages, which in turn can discourage the search for formal employment or the continuation of higher education. The phenomenon of labor informality, especially in sectors such as commerce, services, and domestic work, has been identified as one of the main entry points for young people, but also as an obstacle to their professional development and long-term economic stability.
Universality of education, key to reducing NEETs
While the reduction in the number of young people who are neither studying nor working is an encouraging sign, the real objective lies in consolidating conditions that allow for the sustainable and dignified inclusion of youth in the country’s productive and educational life, something the government in Colombia has been pursuing in recent years.
Public policies that improve the quality and relevance of education, encourage the creation of formal jobs, and support young people’s transition into meaningful opportunities can be key to sustaining this trend. The implementation of technical training programs, internships linked to productive sectors, and financial support schemes for vulnerable youth are examples of measures that could strengthen this transition.
Although the decline in NEETs in Colombia to 2.3 million should be acknowledged, the road ahead still demands the need to offer alternatives to this younger segment of the population. This phenomenon — present worldwide — reflects the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses both barriers to access to education and employment and the structural conditions of inequality and discrimination faced by young people, particularly women.
Only through consistent policies and a focus on the quality of inclusion will it be possible to ensure that this decline translates into a real improvement in the life prospects and development of Colombian youth.