The number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in work in the UK has risen slightly, a monthly report has revealed.
According to the latest labour market statistics released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of 16 to 24-year-olds considered to be “economically inactive” rose by 1.16 per cent from 2,495,000 in the period of September to November 2012, to 2,524,000 in the same period last year.
The bigger rise was in the 18 to 24 age group, where the number of people who were economically inactive rose by 1.31 per cent from 1,601,000 to 1,622,000.
The rise in the number of 16 to 18-year-olds who were inactive was 0.9 per cent — from 894,000 to 902,000.
According to the ONS, economic inactivity is defined as those who are out of work including those who choose to be — for example, if they are looking after a home or retired.
The employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 for September to November 2013 was 72.1 per cent, up 0.5 percentage points from June to August 2013.
There were 30.15 million people in employment aged 16 and over, up 280,000 from June to August 2013.
The next round of quarterly figures for the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) is due out next month.
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