Who are Italian “NEETs”? “Trust in institutions, political engagement, willingness to be activated and attitudes toward the future in a group at risk for social exclusion

Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) young people are an emerging at-risk-of-social exclusion group in contemporary society. The present research aimed to investigate NEETs’ sociodemographic characteristics and some variables crucial in the transition to adulthood: perceptions about the future job opportunities, their desire to start a family, perceptions about the future, trust in the institutions and social participation. We also aimed to compare NEET and non-NEET young people on these variables to understand what are the determinants of their political and social commitment. Results on a study led to 8112 Italians, aged between 19-29, show that NEETs and non-NEETs are not evenly distributed in the country and by gender. NEETs are generally youngsters desiring to start a family, but with low levels of trust in the future, in other people and in institutions. As part of their risk of social exclusion, they have lower rates of social participation.