The share of young people who are neither working nor studying has declined in Cyprus: Eurostat records positive momentum

According to Eurostat, the share of young people aged 15 to 29 in EU countries who are neither working nor studying (the NEET category) continues to decline. In 2025, this figure in the European Union stood at 11.0%, down from 11.1% in 2024 and significantly lower than 15.2% in 2015.

Cyprus has also recorded positive momentum: the share of NEET youth fell to 10.6% compared with 18.5% ten years ago. As a result, the country has moved closer to the EU average and is showing steady improvement in youth employment and education.

Eurostat notes that the decline in the indicator brings the EU closer to the European Pillar of Social Rights target of reducing the share of NEETs to 9% by 2030.

Differences remain across age groups. Among teenagers aged 15–19 who are outside education and work, the figure is 5.3%, while it rises to 12.8% in the 20–24 age group and reaches 14.7% among those aged 25–29.

The lowest NEET levels were recorded in the Netherlands (5.3%), Sweden (5.9%) and Slovenia (7.6%). At the same time, the highest figures were reported in Romania (19.2%), Bulgaria (13.8%) and Greece (13.6%).

Overall, the statistics point to a gradual improvement in youth participation in education and the labor market both in the EU and in Cyprus, although the gap between member states remains significant.