The General Statistics Office reported that in the first three months of the year, 1,6 million young people aged 15-24 across the country were not employed, not in education, and not in training (NEET). This figure represents an increase of nearly 173.000 people compared to Q4/2025 and 212.500 people compared to the same period last year, accounting for 11,4% of the total youth population in the same age group.

Nearly 70% of this group resides in rural areas, and over half are female. A significant 87% have never received vocational technical training, and more than half have not graduated from high school. Only 13% have completed elementary level training or higher. Approximately 32% of this group are seeking employment.

Young people seeking employment in an industrial park in the former Bac Giang province in early 2023. *Hong Chieu*

The "three noes" youth group is a metric developed by the International Labor Organization (ILO), which established the calculation methodology and recommends that countries collect and publish this data. This indicator reflects young people aged 15-24 who are currently not employed, including both those unemployed and not participating in the labor force; not engaged in any form of formal education within the system; and not participating in vocational training programs or skill development.

Essentially, this group reflects the degree to which a segment of youth is disconnected from the labor market and the education and training system, implying they are not effectively participating in either.

Young people fall into the "three noes" situation not only due to labor market factors but also because of educational attainment gaps, disparities in employment opportunities between urban and rural areas, and socioeconomic differences.

Quarterly fluctuations in these numbers indicate the economy's capacity to absorb labor, the ability of youth to continue participating in training, and the stability of the transition from education to work. An increase in a quarter suggests that a segment of youth faces greater difficulty in accessing employment or continuing their education and training. Conversely, a decrease reflects improved connections with the market, as well as enhanced learning and skill development.

When the "three noes" rate is unusually high or remains above the global average for an extended period, the economy risks wasting young human resources, experiencing declining labor productivity, increasing inequality, and placing greater pressure on the social security system. A prolonged situation could diminish Vietnam's ability to leverage its "golden population structure" (demographic dividend).

In 2025, Vietnam's "three noes" youth rate was over 10%, significantly lower than the global average of 20%. This rate is also lower than in many countries in the region, such as Bangladesh (over 15%), Thailand (nearly 13%), and the ASEAN average (over 16%). It is nearly comparable to the G7 group, which stands at 10,6%. While the overall risk is not yet high, continuous monitoring and timely support for vulnerable groups are necessary, according to the General Statistics Office.

Hong Chieu