Inactivity

Definition

The proportion of young people aged 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 who are not engaged in employment, formal or informal education, training or caregiving duties.

Please see the Methodology report for more information about who is included in this group.

Relevance

Positive transitions into further study and employment are important for young people’s current wellbeing and future prospects. Young people who become detached from education, training and the labour-market for a prolonged period of time may place their future welfare and economic independence at risk.(1)

Current level and trends

In 2007, 6.6 percent of young people aged 15 to 19 and 7.7 percent of those aged 20 to 24 were considered ‘inactive’ – that is, not employed, nor studying, nor engaged in care-giving duties.

The proportion of inactive youth in each age group was slightly lower than the rates recorded for 2006 for ages 15 to 19 (6.7 percent) but higher than the rate recorded for ages 20 to 24 (7.5 percent).

Proportion of young people aged 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 not engaged in employment, education or care-giving, 2004-2007

Source: Statistics New Zealand, Household Labour Force Survey, December year end average.

Notes