Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the global phenomenon of NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) youth, highlighting its prevalence, causes, and demographic characteristics based on data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) [2][3][4]. Group 1: Definition and Causes of NEET - NEET refers to the youth population aged 15-24 who are neither employed nor engaged in education or training, originating from the UK in the late 1980s [3][10]. - The causes of NEET include economic factors such as slow economic growth and labor surplus, educational mismatches, cultural expectations, family dynamics, and individual issues like loss of confidence [3][11][12]. Group 2: Global NEET Population and Trends - By 2025, approximately 260 million NEET youth are expected globally, representing 20.4% of the youth population and 3.2% of the total population, showing a slight decrease from 2019 [4][14]. - Gender distribution indicates that male NEETs will be around 87 million (13.1% of male youth), while female NEETs will be approximately 175 million (28.2% of female youth) [16]. Group 3: Income Distribution Characteristics - In 2025, NEET populations in high, middle, and low-income economies are projected to be 15 million, 63 million, 139 million, and 45 million respectively [17]. - Higher income levels correlate with a more balanced gender distribution among NEETs, with female representation in NEET populations being 50% in high-income economies and increasing in lower-income brackets [17][18]. - The proportion of NEET youth decreases as income levels rise, with rates of 10.4% in high-income economies and 28.5% in low-income economies [17]. Group 4: Geographic Distribution Characteristics - NEET youth are most prevalent in Arab countries, North Africa, and South Asia, with proportions of 33%, 31%, and 27% respectively, while Western Europe, Southern Europe, Northern Europe, East Asia, and North America have lower rates around 10-11% [22]. - The highest female NEET rates are found in Arab countries and South Asia, with 46%, 44%, and 43% respectively, contrasting with lower rates in Western regions [22]. Group 5: NEET Rates in Major Economies - Japan has the lowest NEET rate at 3.1%, while other developed economies like the US (11.2%), EU (10%), and Canada (11.7%) hover around 10% [27]. - Countries with unique cultural contexts, such as India (23.6%), Iran (27.2%), and Egypt (26.9%), exhibit significantly higher NEET rates [27].