INTRODUCTION

In recent years, the issue of unemployed and inactive youths has gained increasing attention worldwide, and Italy is no exception. This category of young people is commonly referred to as NEET (not in education, employment or training). The focus to this group emerged in the UK towards the end of the last century, but its widespread use began in 2010 when the European Union adopted the NEET rate as a benchmark indicator for assessing the condition of the younger generation. This rate is considered the primary measure of how much a community underutilizes the potential of young people, which not only affects the individuals themselves but also hampers overall development and well-being. Initially, the indicator focused on the 18-19 age group, but later it expanded to encompass the entire youth population, specifically those aged 15-24. As the phenomenon became more prevalent and the risk of long-term disengagement increased, many Southern European countries adopted a broader definition that includes individuals up to the age of 29 or even 34, thereby including ‘young adults’. The initial emphasis, reflected in the original age group considered, was on the phase of life when individuals are primarily engaged in education and training. Over time, however, the focus extended to encompass the entire school-to-work transition, with the indicator shifting from primarily addressing education to primarily measuring the challenges young people face in the labour market.