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Brazil Faces Challenges With New Generation Without Study And Work: Situation Remains High Despite Reduction In Unemployment For Brazilian Youth.
A significant portion of Brazilian youth face difficulties both in entering the job market and in continuing their studies. According to the report “Global Employment Trends For Youth 2024” from the International Labor Organization (ILO), 20.6% of Brazilians aged 15 to 24 are in the situation known as “NEET,” where they are not working or studying. Despite a slight improvement compared to last year, when the rate was 20.9%, this reality reveals a persistent challenge for the new generation and for public policies aimed at employment and education in the country.
Rate Of Brazilian Youth “NEET”
The rate of youth who are neither engaged in the job market nor in education is a reflection of persistent challenges in the country.
Even with the reduction of the unemployment rate to historic lows, the situation for Brazilian youth remains concerning.
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The government has been trying to tackle this problem with initiatives such as the Pé-de-Meia program, which aims to reduce school dropout rates and improve prospects for this age group.
International Comparison
The rate of “NEET” youth in Brazil is higher than in some Latin American countries and emerging markets.
In Chile, 15.3% of youth find themselves in this situation, while the rate in Argentina is 15%, and in Bolivia, it is 9.5%.
Globally, countries like China and Russia have lower rates, at 12.9% and 12.2%, respectively.
However, the situation is more serious in India, where 25.9% of youth fall into this category, and in South Africa, with 31.7%.
The ILO report also reveals a significant gender disparity. In 2023, 28.1% of young women and 13.1% of young men were classified as “NEET.”
This data highlights a problem that primarily affects young women, emphasizing the need for more effective public policies.
It is crucial to develop strategies that not only reduce school dropout rates but also provide better employment opportunities, especially for women.
Global And National Challenges
Although the global economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic has shown positive signs, the recovery has not been uniform.
The lack of decent work for youth is an issue causing significant anxiety, despite them being the most educated generation in history.
Gilbert F. Houngbo, the Director-General of the ILO, emphasizes that job instability affects the prospect of a secure and prosperous future for youth.
Houngbo points out that “none of us can expect a stable future when millions of young people around the world do not have decent work and, as a result, feel insecure and unable to build a better life for themselves and their families. Peaceful societies depend on three main ingredients: stability, inclusion, and social justice; and decent work for youth lies at the heart of all three.”
Initiatives To Support Brazilian Youth
An important solution to support Brazilian youth is access to scholarships, which can help increase education rates and reduce the number of “NEET” youth.
The Educa Mais Brasil program, for example, has been active for over 20 years, offering scholarships for undergraduate studies and other levels of education, including basic education, postgraduate studies, technical courses, and languages.
With partnerships with more than 33,000 educational institutions in Brazil, the program offers scholarships of up to 85% off, facilitating access to education for those facing financial difficulties.
To apply, interested individuals should visit the official Educa Mais Brasil website, choose the type of education, city, and institution of their preference.
The application is free and can be an important opportunity for young people seeking to improve their future prospects.
The challenge of Brazilian youth who neither work nor study is complex and multifaceted, involving economic, social, and educational factors.
Although there are signs of progress with the decrease in the unemployment rate and the implementation of programs like Pé-de-Meia, the rate of “NEET” youth remains high compared to other countries and regions.
The need for effective public policies and access to educational opportunities is crucial to address this challenge and ensure a more promising future for the new generation of Brazilians.
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