The Share of Youth Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) in Latin America displays significant variation by country. Saint Lucia tops the list with a high rate at 35.66% in 2024, followed by Dominican Republic at 30.58%. Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala also show elevated levels around 27-30%. In contrast, Bolivia exhibits much lower rates at 9.99%, and Uruguay maintains a relatively low NEET rate of 14.15%, reflecting differing socio-economic contexts across the region.
Over recent years, significant year-on-year changes have been observed. For instance, the Dominican Republic and Peru have seen increases of over 4% in NEET rates from 2023 to 2024. Conversely, El Salvador and Brazil experienced declines, suggesting some improvements in those economies. Notably, Uruguay decreased by 4.65%, indicating positive interventions or economic factors. The variations underscore the mixed trends in education and employment access across these nations.
Looking ahead, monitoring economic policies, educational reforms, and labor market conditions will be critical for understanding future NEET trends in Latin America. Particular attention should be given to countries with rising rates, as strategic initiatives could be needed to reduce youth unemployment and educational disengagement. Growing digital economies and changes in global market trends might also influence future NEET statistics in the region.
Top countries in Share of Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Percent of Youth Population | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Saint Lucia | 35.66 | 2023 | +30.2% | View data | |
| 2 | 2 Dominican Republic | 30.58 | 2023 | +14.92% | +4.53% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Belize | 29.9 | 2023 | +0.81% | +2.73% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Honduras | 28.57 | 2023 | +2.59% | +1.42% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Guatemala | 27.88 | 2023 | -5.66% | +0.064% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Colombia | 24.38 | 2023 | -0.17% | +1.31% | View data |
| 7 | 7 El Salvador | 23.67 | 2023 | +0.89% | -2.7% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Peru | 22.62 | 2023 | -0.68% | +4.97% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Brazil | 20.97 | 2023 | -0.0095% | -3.14% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Costa Rica | 18.52 | 2023 | +7.77% | -0.17% | View data |
