Around 17,000 youth here not in school, work or training

Unable to reach their full potential, they may also be at risk of being excluded from society

- Shermaine Ang

Around 17,000 youth, aged 15 to 24, in Singapore were not in school, work or training in 2023. This represents 4.1 per cent of youth in the country, a higher proportion than the 3.7 per cent in 2013.

While the Republic's figures remain below the global average of 22.4 per cent in 2020, they are still of concern, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua.

"This figure equates to about 17,000 youth who have been unable to reach their full potential and may be at risk of being excluded from society," he said.

He was speaking on Sept 25 at the first Youth Outreach Conference here to tackle the issue of supporting troubled youth, who include "hidden youth" and those on the streets, among others. Hidden youth are those who withdraw from society and isolate themselves at home for long periods of time.

The 2023 numbers he gave for Neet youth - referring to youth, aged 15 to 24, not in employment, education or training - were based on data from the Ministry of Manpower's 2024 Labour Force Survey.

Some 300 social work practitioners, educators and policymakers attended the three-day conference organised by social service agency Fei Yue Community Services together with the Youth Work Association (Singapore).

Agencies such as Care Corner and Fei Yue have managed to successfully reintegrate some of these youth back into society, said Mr Chua, but more can be done to support Neet youth and reduce their numbers.

He highlighted the importance of a strong family unit in helping to curb the problem.