The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that 981,000 people ages 16 to 24 in the United Kingdom were outside education, employment or training in April-June 2026, a measure of the country's youth employment and skills challenge.
The estimate represented 13.0% of the age group, or about one in eight. It was 30,000 higher than in April-June 2025 and 30,000 lower than in January-March 2026. The ONS says estimates for smaller groups from its Labour Force Survey can fluctuate, making short-term comparisons less certain.
The total comprised 393,000 people classified as unemployed and 588,000 who were economically inactive. The inactive group included people who were not looking for work, could not start a job, or both, so the overall measure is not a count of unemployed people alone.
A May interim report from a government-commissioned review led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn estimated an annual UK cost of £125 billion associated with nearly one million young people outside work, education and training. The review cited fewer entry-level routes and health barriers. It also found that 60% of people in the group had no job history, compared with 40% in 2005.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for stronger job and skills support, arguing that cash benefits alone do too little to help young people enter employment. His response to the estimate addressed how support could help young people move toward work.
The Straits Times used the label “bedroom generation” for this age group in an article published Oct. 23.
The ONS is scheduled to publish its next update Nov. 26.
