Abstract

The article addresses the relationship between social origins, and the risk of being part of the NEET category (not in education, employment or training) for the age group 15-24 in the case of Italy. Based on Italian Labour Force Survey data (2015), the authors show that rather than being a novel generational phenomenon, the NEET status is deeply nested in the so-called OED triangle, which includes the social class of origin, educational choices and attainment, and social destination. The relevant evidence shows that the NEET rate, as well as the duration of unemployment or inactivity among the NEET dramatically vary depending on the social origin. In the last part, policy implications are briefly discussed.