Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

This paper investigates the experiences, cost implications, and service needs of the 12% of Canada’s youth population that is not current in employment, education or training (NEET). We draw on multiple lines of inquiry including: analysis of Statistics Canada data; analysis of primary data from a survey we fielded to 900 youth in Ontario; and, analysis of service usage and cost data related to social assistance, crime, health care, education and housing. Our study yielded three major findings. First, while most of youth we surveyed indicated they want to work or study, they also indicated they need help addressing the challenges they face such as mental and physical health issues, caregiving responsibilities, lack of transportation, and skills gaps. Second, while Canada already spends a substantial amount on services for youth, for the most part, this spending is targeted towards services that are both ineffective and difficult to access. Finally, while our estimates suggest the private and social costs associated with NEET status are enormous, investing in evidence-based services focused on helping youth meet their goals would unlock social and economic potential, reduce the fiscal burden of downstream costs, and ultimately contribute to building a more skilled, sustainable, and productive workforce.