Written by Kleio Stafylaki
The situation of young people who are not in employment, education or training remains an important challenge for youth, education and employment policies across Europe. The NEET indicator is particularly relevant because it goes beyond unemployment figures and helps identify young people who may be disconnected from learning, skills development, employment opportunities and wider social participation.
In Greece, this issue has been especially significant over the last decade, shaped by the long-term effects of the economic crisis, demographic trends and persistent labour market challenges. Although the country has achieved a considerable reduction in NEET rates since 2015, recent Eurostat data show that the NEET rate among young people aged 15–29 in Greece still stood at 13.6% in 2025. This remains above the European Union average of 11.0% and above the EU 2030 target of reducing the NEET rate to 9%.
Addressing these challenges requires more than employment measures alone. It also requires stronger support systems that help young people understand their options, develop confidence in their abilities and make informed decisions about their educational and professional pathways. This is one of the central objectives of the SupportSphere project.
Despite the progress made, the challenge remains substantial. Greece is still among the EU countries with the highest NEET rates, together with Romania and Bulgaria. This indicates that many young people continue to face difficulties in moving from education into stable employment or further learning opportunities.
Several structural factors contribute to this situation. Young people with lower levels of educational attainment, those living in economically disadvantaged areas and individuals facing social, family-related or personal barriers may be more exposed to the risk of disengagement. The consequences of prolonged inactivity during youth can be significant, affecting future employability, income prospects, social participation and overall well-being.
A key challenge in the Greek context is the transition from education to the labour market. Many young people, including graduates, may experience temporary, unstable or mismatched employment conditions. Others may struggle to identify career pathways that reflect both their skills and their aspirations. As a result, the transition from education to employment can become longer, more uncertain and more difficult to navigate.
This underlines the importance of effective career guidance services and stronger cooperation between education providers, employers and local communities. Guidance should not be limited to providing information about available jobs or study options. It should also help young people reflect on their interests, recognise their strengths, explore realistic career pathways and develop the skills needed to manage transitions.
Evidence gathered through the SupportSphere project also highlighted the need for continuous mentoring, practical career guidance activities, stronger links with the world of work, and increased emotional and social support during critical transition periods. These findings point to the importance of a more holistic approach to career guidance within vocational education and training.
Reducing the NEET rate therefore depends not only on the creation of employment opportunities, but also on the availability of support mechanisms that help young people remain connected to education, training and work. Career guidance, mentoring, peer support and work-based learning opportunities can all play an important role in supporting more successful transitions.
In recent years, Greece has strengthened several initiatives aimed at promoting youth employability and social inclusion. These include actions linked to the reinforced Youth Guarantee, reforms in vocational education and training, expanded career guidance services, and programmes supported by European funding instruments such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the European Social Fund Plus. These measures contribute to improving the conditions in which young people can access learning, guidance and employment opportunities.
The NEET situation in Greece has improved considerably during the last decade, showing that policy efforts, labour market recovery and targeted support can contribute to positive change. However, Greece continues to face important challenges, and its NEET rate remains above both the EU average and the 2030 EU target.
Responding to these challenges requires sustained attention to the transition between education and employment. Young people need accessible career guidance, reliable information, supportive relationships and meaningful opportunities to connect learning with the labour market.
This is the approach promoted by the SupportSphere project. By supporting VET trainers, strengthening career guidance practices and providing practical tools for career reflection and decision-making, SupportSphere contributes to more inclusive pathways that help young people remain engaged in education, training and employment.
References
European Commission. (2021). European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. Publications Office of the European Union.
Eurostat. (2024). Drop in youths neither working nor studying. European Commission.
Eurostat. (2025). Statistics on young people neither in employment nor in education or training. European Commission.
Eurostat. (2026). Fewer young people not in work or education in 2025. European Commission.
SupportSphere Project Consortium. (2025). SupportSphere Handbook: Prevent VET students from going NEET. Erasmus+ KA220-VET Project.
SupportSphere Project Consortium. (2025). Focus group findings and needs analysis for VET students and trainers. Erasmus+ KA220-VET Project.
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