Breaking barriers for young women not in employment, education, or training

In 2023, the not-in-employment, education, or training (NEET) rate for women stood at 12.5% (compared to 10.1% for men); a rate which the European Union (EU) aims to reduce to 9% by 2030. In some EU Member States, the NEET rate for women exceeds that of men by over 10 percentage points, with this disparity widening as age increases.

Globally, two out of three NEETs are female, highlighting a structural gender bias. Women often face additional challenges in employment, education, and training, including family responsibilities, difficulties re-entering the workforce after childbirth, and a higher likelihood of engaging in precarious work. Addressing and overcoming these barriers is critical to ensuring young women have equal access to education and career opportunities.

Understanding female NEETs needs

Young women, particularly young mothers, are more likely than men to leave education or remain outside the workforce due to the unequal burden of caregiving responsibilities. This dynamic contributes to a widening NEET gender gap over time, as limited access to childcare and structural labour market inequalities further strain women's work-life balance.

To effectively support female NEETs, policy makers and stakeholders must first understand the unique challenges women face, including systemic barriers and structures not designed to meet their needs. Gender-disaggregated NEET data analysis is essential for designing targeted outreach and activation measures. Successful initiatives focus on addressing individual needs, building trust, and empowering young women to regain control over their educational and career paths. 

Several EU policy frameworks have been designed to support NEETs. Most notably, the European Youth Guarantee, aims to ensure that all young people receive a quality job offer, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within four months of leaving formal education or becoming unemployed. Additionally, the European Pillar of Social Rights, Principle 4 - Active support to employment - states that young people have the right to continued education, apprenticeship, traineeship or a job offer of good standing within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving education.

Vocational education and training: a sustainable pathway for female NEETs

Vocational education and training (VET) can serve as a sustainable pathway for female NEETs, offering opportunities for reskilling, employment, and long-term career growth. However, its impact depends, among other factors, on flexibility. Integrating part-time training, adaptable learning options, and offering accessible and affordable childcare support so women can take part in VET programmes is essential to ensuring accessibility and long-term career growth.

Through research, peer learning and the online VET toolkit for empowering NEETs Cedefop equips policy makers and practitioners with valuable resources to support NEETs. The toolkit identifies at-risk profiles, in addition to risk factors such as early motherhood, and offers good practices, tools, and intervention approaches for effective workforce integration.

The toolkit comprises:

• Outreach strategies to engage female NEETs and facilitate their transition into training and employment.
• Skills development aligned with labour market needs.
• Tailored support mechanisms such as mentorship, career guidance, and flexible training options.
• Recognition of non-formal and informal learning, to ensure women's prior skills and experiences are valued.

Investing in young women, including NEETs, is not only a matter of social equity but also an economic necessity. By empowering young women through VET and targeted support, employers can access a more diverse and skilled workforce, improving productivity and competitiveness. Reducing the female NEET rate also helps tackle labour market imbalances, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable economy.

With the right policies, partnerships, and outreach strategies, the EU can create inclusive pathways to education and employment for all young women, breaking down barriers and building a future of equal opportunities.