Data on Singaporeans Categorised as NEETs by Demographics

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Manpower for the last three years (a) what is the number of Singaporeans categorised as Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs), broken down by age group; (b) what is the median duration these individuals remain as NEETs; and (c) what percentage of Singaporean NEETs aged 40 and above have remained outside the workforce for more than 12 months.

Consistent with the practice of international organisations, such as the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation, the Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) indicator is used to track early-life labour market vulnerabilities of young persons during their transition from formal education to employment. The indicator is, therefore, usually compiled for youths aged between 15 and 24, but not extended to older age groups whose labour market participation is shaped by different considerations, such as caregiving responsibilities and health conditions.

While the traditional NEET definition does not fully reflect how some youths today explore options outside formal education or employment, the number of NEETs continued to decline. In Singapore, the number of residents1 aged 15 to 24 who were categorised as NEETs declined over the past three years, from 17,100 in 2023 to 16,900 in 2024 and 15,900 in 20252. Over the same period, the average duration of NEET status was 6 months, suggesting that NEET spells among youths were generally transitory due to short breaks between jobs or periods immediately after leaving school rather than prolonged unemployment.

Data on the percentage of NEET residents aged 40 and over is not tracked. For such residents, sustained detachment from the labour market is monitored using indicators, such as long-term unemployment, labour force participation and economic inactivity, which are more appropriate for capturing their labour market circumstances.