How can the UK better support its young people?

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Younger generations in the UK face a stark set of challenges, from limited social mobility to rising child poverty and negative mental and emotional impacts of social and digital media. The effects manifest in various ways, including growing levels of economic inactivity among those aged 18–24, diminished school attendance, a rise in violence among young people and declining mental health.

Recent data from the Office of National Statistics showed that over 987,000 young people in the UK (aged 16-24) are now classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), a figure that has risen starkly in recent years. The causes of this inactivity are multifaceted, and while economic or educational activity is not the only indicator of a happy or meaningful life, these figures suggest that something is going wrong in the transition from youth to adulthood.

What does it take for young people today to build a secure, meaningful and connected adult life? And how can society better support their transitions in a rapidly changing world? In this webinar, RAND Europe experts and guests will discuss these questions and consider the lessons the UK could learn from existing research.