One in five young adults is not in education, employment, or training (NEET). This is not a statistic. It's a silent crisis. Let's explore why—and what we can do.
Across Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), youth aged 15–24 make up a significant portion of the population—in some countries, more than 50% are under 25. But 1 in 4 Pacific youth is NEET. That’s roughly 25%, though it varies dramatically by country.
Young women are more likely to be NEET than men.
In Solomon Islands, 39% of young women are NEET, compared to 26% of young men.
In Nauru, the gap is wider—53% of young women NEET, vs 26% of men.
Why? Many young women are unpaid carers, doing domestic work, or are discouraged from seeking employment. Are gendered roles still deeply rooted?
Youth with disabilities face layers of exclusion. In Vanuatu, only 1 in 10 youth with disabilities is employed or in education. Lack of accessible transport, inclusive schools, and community stigma shut many out. Girls with disabilities face double discrimination—for being disabled and for being female.
Youth with disabilities face layers of exclusion. In Vanuatu; only 1 in 10, in Tuvalu only 2 in 10 youth with disabilities is employed or in education. Lack of accessible transport, inclusive schools, and community stigma shut many out. Girls with disabilities face double discrimination—for being disabled and for being female.
Economic Structure & Post-COVID Recovery Gaps
Many economies —such as Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga— remain below pre-pandemic GDP levels, limiting job creation and slowing youth re-entry into the workforce International Labour Organization
Limited Private-Sector Opportunities
Countries like Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu rely heavily on public sector roles. Those lacking requisite skills are excluded, increasing NEET prevalence among the youth International Labour Organization International Labour Organization
Skills mismatch and education gaps
A growing share of youth have tertiary education, but available jobs—even public sector ones—may demand different or specialized skills, leading to mismatch and inactivity International Labour Organization International Labour Organization
Disability exclusion
Young people with disabilities face systemic barriers in accessing both education & formal employment. NEET among disabled youth averages 60%—double that of peers without disabilities International Labour Organization International Labour Organization
Gender and societal norms
Higher adolescent fertility rates and caregiving responsibilities hinder girls and young women from continuing education or seeking work—amplifying NEET risk International Labour Organization lowyinstitute.org
Being NEET is not an identity—it’s a transition, often forced and prolonged. For many Pacific youth, it is like living on an island between two shores: childhood and adulthood. One foot in tradition, one in the modern world. Waiting.
Many NEET youth is still on that island. But if they had the tools, the support, the chance—they’d build a bridge. Not just for themselves, but for others.
And that’s the story of NEETs in the Pacific. Not of failure—but of potential quietly waiting to be seen, heard, and invested in.