Being unemployed and idle may sound like a choice nobody would make, but some young people are becoming so-called voluntary NEETs.
And their numbers are on the rise. According to the International Labour Organization, about a fifth of people between 15 and 24 worldwide in 2023 were considered NEETs — a level not seen in nearly two decades.
NEETs enjoy the privilege of being financially supported by family and friends or by the state. However, many are still struggling financially and facing a host of other challenges that make it difficult for them to get back into employment.
Research has found that the longer someone is out of the workforce, the more disconnected from the workforce they can become and the greater the likelihood that they will suffer mental-health issues.
The vast majority are not NEETs by choice. As Business Insider previously reported, disabilities may also play a role in the rising number of NEETs.
In a 2022 analysis of Census data by the San Francisco Fed, almost 40% of prime-working-age men said disability or illness was the reason they weren’t in work. Changing demand for jobs and education levels are also factors.
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However, there is a subgroup of NEETs who are out of employment by choice and believe that being idle isn’t a bad thing.
For these NEETs, taking a step away from the workforce can have an unexpected upside, according to a psychologist.
The rise of the voluntary NEETs
Ryan Warner, a psychologist and business consultant, told BI there’s a “huge grind culture” in the US where people think working harder yields better results.
“However, the newer generation is starting to have a different spin on how they view success,” he said.
According to the American Psychological Association’s 2023 survey, 77% of workers reported feeling stressed at work.
“A lot of people say, ‘Hey, we’ll just grind through it, get over with’,'” Warner said. “But some individuals are saying, ‘No, I’m going to actually take the time for myself, reduce some stress, some anxiety, some depressive symptoms to protect my overall mental well-being.'”
Mental health and a work-life balance are huge priorities for many Gen Zers and they are keen to work at organizations with empathetic values and flexibility.
However, some career and recruitment specialists told BI being a NEET could be a “big mistake” and a result of “unrealistic views” creating a “false reality” about how career opportunities come about.
They said big gaps on someone’s résumé could be a red flag to potential employers, and that sometimes, fulfillment comes from putting yourself out there.
However, if you’re a voluntary NEET, according to Warner, waiting a bit longer to find a job that aligns with your values and identity creates fulfillment in life and can mitigate burnout and other “long-term psychological challenges.” It can also boost confidence and psychological resilience, Warner said.
“When they take that time off for themself, they’re able to reevaluate their values and what’s important to them, and in turn, that strengthens their identity and self-worth,” Warner said. “That actually provides a sense of autonomy and control over one’s life.”
Warner added that, in contrast, being forced into a job that doesn’t fit can lead to feelings of helplessness and a lack of agency.
Overall, it’s a risk-reward analysis individuals have to make.
The reward for taking a job could be financial stability, but the risk could be feeling unfulfilled or experiencing anxiety and depression.
“A lot of individuals are recognizing the risks far outweigh the rewards, and in turn are choosing a different approach,” he said.