Household Socio-Economic Characteristics of NEETs in Thailand

Due to the heterogeneous socio-economic backgrounds and multifaceted causes contributing to the phenomenon of NEETs (youths not in education, employment, or training), this study classifies youths into six groups by their status including in-school, employed, NEET due to job seeking, NEET due to family responsibility, NEET due to disability, and other NEETs. Subsequently, we analyze a comprehensive list of socio-economic factors associated with different groups of youths in Thailand. The empirical analysis employs the Generalized Maximum Entropy (GME) model for the multinomial choice to analyze Thailand’s socio-economic survey data. Consistent with prior research, the findings reveal that youths living in poverty or lower consumption expenditure households are more inclined to leave formal education to work or become NEETs, except in the case of NEETs due to disability. This highlights the necessity to extend support beyond education and employment opportunities to address family responsibilities, particularly for youths in households with high dependency ratios or infants. Moreover, the study underscores the diversity of NEET situations among youths from other different socio-economic backgrounds. Notably, there is evidence linking NEET status due to job-seeking with youths from higher socio-economic backgrounds, suggesting potential labor market challenges. Additionally, youths with disabilities encounter barriers not only due to their condition but also in job-seeking. While common policy measures exist, tailored interventions are crucial to facilitate their reintegration into formal education or the labor market.