According to the latest OECD report released in March 2026, the share of young people aged 15 to 29 who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET) has reached 34% in France, marking a significant increase from previous years. This figure, verified by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), represents over 2.3 million individuals.
The report highlights that the NEET rate is particularly high among those with lower educational attainment, with 45% of early school leavers falling into this category. Regional disparities are also stark, with the highest rates observed in the overseas departments and the northern regions of mainland France.
Experts attribute this trend to a combination of factors, including a mismatch between skills taught in the education system and labor market demands, as well as the lingering effects of the post-pandemic economic slowdown. The French government has announced a β¬1.5 billion plan to address the issue, focusing on apprenticeship programs and digital skills training.
