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Even more discouraged? The NEET generation at the age of COVID-19

Author

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  • Carmen Aina
  • Irene Brunetti
  • Chiara Mussida
  • Sergio Scicchitano

Abstract

The Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) status is a long-standing problem that occupies a priority role in the European policy agenda, even more during the post-COVID-19 outbreak. This paper investigates whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic and the quality of institutions affect the probability of being NEET in Italy. In treating the 15–34 unemployed and inactive cohort jointly, our hypothesis is that the COVID-19 exposure has increased the risk of being NEET during the second quarter of 2020 whereas the quality of institutions could mitigate it. Estimates on a unique dataset obtained by merging the Italian Labor Force Survey with the Institutional Quality Index dataset, confirms it. In addition, in dealing the 15–24 and 25–34 cohorts separately, our results show that individuals in the older age group are the most affected. Finally, “good deeds” implemented by institutions, such as active policies conducted at regional level, are a further educational investment that could protect from becoming NEET.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen Aina & Irene Brunetti & Chiara Mussida & Sergio Scicchitano, 2025. "Even more discouraged? The NEET generation at the age of COVID-19," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(25), pages 3455-3472, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:57:y:2025:i:25:p:3455-3472
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2024.2337790
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    2. Adriano Mauro Ellena & Daniela Marzana & Maura Pozzi, 2024. "Strategies for Engaging and Outreaching NEETs in Italy: Insights From Active Labour Policies," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 12.
    3. Edoardo Di Porto & Cristina Tealdi, 2022. "Heterogeneous Paths to Stability," CSEF Working Papers 644, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy.
    4. García, Gonzalo Llamosas & Pérez-Oleaga, Cristina Mazas, 2025. "What works in financial education? Experimental evidence on program impact," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    5. Zeynep Basak & Caner Ozdemir, 2023. "Underutilisation of Labour: Underemployment and Skills-Mismatch in Turkey," World Journal of Applied Economics, WERI-World Economic Research Institute, vol. 9(2), pages 125-148, December.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure

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