Los jóvenes que no estudian ni trabajan (NINIS) en Colombia

En Colombia hay 2,7 millones de jóvenes entre 14 y 28 anos que no estudian ni trabajan (NINIS), lo que representa una problemática social y económica, en la medida en que se desaprovechan las potenciales capacidades productivas de la población, pero también evidencia las limitaciones de una sociedad que no ofrece suficientes oportunidades. Esta situación se explica por una amalgama de factores estructurales, institucionales e individuales. El objetivo de este documento es analizar los determinantes microeconómicos (personales y del hogar) que inciden en la situación de los jóvenes NINIS en Colombia. Para ello, se presenta un análisis descriptivo de los NINIS y sus hogares, y se estiman modelos econométricos de variable dependiente limitada. Los principales resultados muestran que la situación tiene un importante sesgo de género afectando negativamente a las mujeres, garantizar mayores niveles educativos contribuye a una notable reducción de la inactividad de los jóvenes, pero su efecto es limitado sobre el desempleo, además, menor desempleo y mayores niveles de educación de los padres del hogar reduce considerablemente la probabilidad de que los jóvenes sean NINIS. *** Colombia has 2.7 million of young people between 14 and 28 years that are not in employment, education or training. It means a huge social and economic problem, because capabilities of population are not being used properly, but it also shows the limitation of a society that does not offer enough opportunities. That situation is the consequence of multiple structural, institutional, and individual aspects. The purpose of this article is to analyze the microeconomic determinants (personal and household characteristics) that influence the condition of youth NEET in Colombia. To do so, a descriptive analysis is shown and some econometric models with categorical dependent variables are estimated. The primary results are the level of NEET has a gender bias, negatively affecting women; higher education levels reduce the inactivity of young people but its effect on unemployment is lower; besides, the likelihood of being NEET for young would decline substantially if their parents were not unemployed and they had more years of education. Colombia has 2.7 million of young people between 14 and 28 years that are not in employment, education or training. It means a huge social and economic problem, because capabilities of population are not being used properly, but it also shows the limitation of a society that does not offer enough opportunities. That situation is the consequence of multiple structural, institutional, and individual aspects. The purpose of this article is to analyze the microeconomic determinants (personal and household characteristics) that influence the condition of youth NEET in Colombia. To do so, a descriptive analysis is shown and some econometric models with categorical dependent variables are estimated. The primary results are the level of NEET has a gender bias, negatively affecting women; higher education levels reduce the inactivity of young people but its effect on unemployment is lower; besides, the likelihood of being NEET for young would decline substantially if their parents were not unemployed and they had more years of education.