More than eight in ten young people who are not currently in employment, education or training want to re-engage, according to new Department for Work and Pensions research.
The survey found that 84% wanted to move into employment, education or training, while employment itself was the most common ambition.
Some 54% wanted a job, including 38% seeking full-time employment and 16% looking for part-time work.
The findings challenge stereotypes suggesting that young people outside the labour market simply do not want to work.
Some 69% of respondents said getting a job was worthwhile, although many described significant obstacles preventing them from reaching their goals.
Lack of opportunities and experience remain barriers
The research surveyed 417 young people aged between 16 and 24 who were not in education, employment or training.
Young people frequently reported difficulty finding suitable opportunities, competition for jobs and employers expecting applicants to already have previous experience.
A lack of available jobs was the most frequently identified barrier to achieving their goals, cited by 15%, while 10% identified lack of work experience.
Graduate respondents also described shortages of graduate vacancies, lengthy recruitment processes and employer expectations for previous experience.
The findings highlight the familiar problem facing younger applicants: experience can be essential for getting a job, but employment is often needed to acquire that experience in the first place.
Health is a major factor
Health also emerged as an important barrier.
Among respondents who were not currently taking steps towards an employment, education or training opportunity, 55% cited health as the reason.
Almost half of those surveyed, 46%, reported having a diagnosed mental health or neurodevelopmental condition. Respondents described challenges including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism and difficulties accessing appropriate support.
Disabled respondents were also more likely to describe difficulties securing suitable workplace adjustments and said greater understanding from employers could help them move towards employment.
The findings underline the importance of recruitment and employment services being able to respond to different individual circumstances rather than treating young people outside work as a single group.
Young people want practical support
When asked what would help, respondents most commonly identified careers guidance, interview assistance and training advice.
They also called for better access to entry-level jobs, apprenticeships and work experience.
Financial assistance and support with health, disability adjustments, training and transport costs were also identified as important.
The research found that 9% wanted to enter higher education, 8% wanted an apprenticeship and 7% were interested in vocational training.
However, 11% did not believe they would ever enter employment, education or training, with health-related issues particularly prominent among this group.
Implications for employers
For employers looking to widen their recruitment pipelines, the findings point to a substantial pool of young people who want opportunities but may require a different route into the workplace.
Accessible recruitment, realistic entry requirements, work experience, apprenticeships, strong onboarding and appropriate workplace adjustments could all help remove barriers.
The findings suggest that the challenge of youth economic inactivity cannot simply be explained by motivation.
For the majority of the young people surveyed, the ambition to work, study or train is already there. The question is whether employers, education providers and employment services can create routes that allow them to take the next step.
Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Survey of Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training, published 27th August 2026.