The percentage of young people who are neither in education nor in employment has risen in recent years. According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis)-based on international comparisons from the European statistics agency Eurostat-the rate for those aged 20 to 24 in Germany was 10.0 percent in 2025. This figure reflects a slow, continuous increase over previous years; in 2022, 8.8 percent of 20- to 24-year-olds were in this category.
Despite this increase, Germany maintains a relatively low NEET rate (Not in Employment, Education or Training) when compared to the 27 EU member states. The EU average stands at 12.9 percent for this age group. The lowest rates were recorded in the Netherlands (5.6 percent), Sweden (7.3 percent), and the Czech Republic (7.6 percent). Conversely, the rates were highest in Romania (22.8 percent), Bulgaria (17.3 percent), and France (16.2 percent). Data for Luxembourg in 2025 is unavailable, though the rate for 2024 was 10.8 percent.
Examining gender differences, the rate among young women is slightly higher than that among young men. In Germany in 2025, 10.5 percent of young women and 9.6 percent of young men aged 20 to 24 were affected. Across the EU, the average was 13.2 percent for young women compared to 12.5 percent for young men. In nearly two-thirds of the EU countries analyzed, young women faced higher rates of non-participation than young men.
The situation also varies significantly depending on whether young people live in major cities or rural areas. In Germany, young people in larger cities were more likely to be NEET (10.6 percent) than those in rural areas (7.9 percent). However, the trend reversed when looking at the entire EU; young people in rural areas (15.4 percent) were notably more affected than those in major cities (11.5 percent).
Various factors can explain why young people aged 20 to 24 are neither studying nor working, and national data from the 2024 Education Report provides insight into the situation in Germany. According to this report, 25 percent of this demographic were job seekers and thus regarded as unemployed. Conversely, 66 percent were not available to the labor market and classified as non-working persons. Additionally, six percent were soon to start training or university, and four percent were anticipating a new job.
Among the groups categorized as non-working persons aged 20 to 24, the reasons cited were diverse. Twenty percent mentioned care obligations, while 18 percent cited health limitations. Furthermore, 17 percent were not working for educational reasons, possibly waiting for a place in a university or training program.
