SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Anadolu Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 26 Issue: 3

FAMILY MATTERS: EXPLORING GENDERED PATHWAYS INTO NEET STATUS IN TÜRKİYE

Taylan Akgül(ANADOLU ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-0753-8615
Pages
—
Publication Date
2025-09-28
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings reveal that gender plays a significant role, with females being more vulnerable to becoming NEET due to traditional family roles, caregiving responsibilities, and social expectations.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study investigates the socio-demographic and economic factors influencing the status of young people, who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) in Türkiye.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Using micro data from the 2010 to 2023 Household Labor Force Surveys, the research employs probit and logistic regression analysis to explore the relationship between NEET status and various individual and household-level determinants.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings reveal that gender plays a significant role, with females being more vulnerable to becoming NEET due to traditional family roles, caregiving responsibilities, and social expectations.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2010 Verileri
⚙️Variables:NEET · Gender · Probit Model

Abstract

This study investigates the socio-demographic and economic factors influencing the status of young people, who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) in Türkiye. Using micro data from the 2010 to 2023 Household Labor Force Surveys, the research employs probit and logistic regression analysis to explore the relationship between NEET status and various individual and household-level determinants. The findings reveal that gender plays a significant role, with females being more vulnerable to becoming NEET due to traditional family roles, caregiving responsibilities, and social expectations. Additionally, factors such as age, educational attainment, per capita household income, and the employment status of parents, especially mothers, significantly impact NEET probabilities. Regional disparities further exacerbate these challenges for women. The study underscores the critical role of family dynamics and socio-economic conditions in shaping the NEET status, especially for young women. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for targeted interventions that address educational gaps, promote female labor force participation, and provide support for childcare and family-friendly workplace policies. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the NEET phenomenon in Türkiye, highlighting the intersection of gender, family, and socio-economic structures in determining youth outcomes.

🔖

Cite This Article

Akgül, T. (2025). FAMILY MATTERS: EXPLORING GENDERED PATHWAYS INTO NEET STATUS IN TÜRKİYE. Anadolu Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, Volume: 26 Issue: 3. https://doi.org/10.53443/anadoluibfd.1676154

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (57)

  1. Akono C. Z., & Obia L. O. M. (2024). Understanding NEET status in Cameroon and Chad: determinants and gender disparities. International Journal of Manpower, 46(3), 492-511. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-12-2023-0744
  2. Alfieri, S., Sironi, E., Marta, E., Rosina, A., & Marzana, D. (2015). Young Italian NEETs (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) and the influence of their family background. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 11(2), 311–322. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop. v11i2.901
  3. Almeida, A., & Simões, F. (2020). Professional development perspectives across gender and age groups of under-qualified rural NEETs. Journal of Community Psychology, 48(5), 1620-1636. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22356
  4. Amdahl Heglum, M., & Nilsen, W. (2024). A life course perspective on the NEET phenomenon: Long-term exclusion across cohorts, gender, and social origin among young adults in Norway. Journal of Youth Studies, 28(5), 807-827. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2024.2305907
  5. Amendola, S. (2022). Macro-Determinants of NEET: An ecological study at the country level of analysis for the period 1997–2020. Youth, 2(3), 384-390. https://doi.org/10.3390/youth2030028
  6. Bacher, J., Tamesberger, D., Leitgöb, H., & Lankmayer, T. (2014). Not in Education, employment or training: Causes, characteristics of NEET-affected youth and exit strategies in Austria. (Working paper ISW – IBE – JKU).
  7. Barlow, R. (1994). Population growth and economic growth: Some more correlations. Population and Development Review, 20(1), 153-165.
  8. Behar, C., Işık, O., Güvenç, M., Erder, S., & Ercan, H. (1999). Türkiye’nin fırsat penceresi: Demografik dönüşüm ve izdüşümleri. Turkish Industry and Business Association.
  9. Berigel M., Boztaş, G. D., Rocca, A. & Neagu, G. (2023). A model for predicting determinants factors for NEETs rates: Support for the decision-makers. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2023.101605
  10. Berloffa G., Filandri M., Matteazzi E., & Nazio T. (2015) Work-poor and work-rich families: influence on youth labor market outcomes. (STYLE Working Papers). https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1578906
  11. Blossfeld, H. P. (2005). Globalization, uncertainty and youth in society. Routledge.
  12. Bostancı, F. C., Çolak K., & Koç S. (2024). Causality relationship between youth unemployment and NEET rates by gender: Baltic Versus Mediterranean, 4(2), 129-147.
  13. Brzinsky Fay, C. (2022). NEET in Germany: Labour market entry patterns and gender differences. In The dynamics of marginalized youth. Routledge.
  14. Bynner, J. (2001). British youth transitions in comparative perspective. Journal of Youth Studies, 4, 5-23.
  15. Bynner, J. (2005). Rethinking the youth phase of the life course: The case for emerging adulthood. Youth and Society, 8, 367-384.
  16. Carcillo S., Fernández R., Königs S., & Minea A. (2015). NEET youth in the aftermath of the crisis: Challenges and policies (OECD Social, Employment and Migration, Working Papers, No. 164). OECD.
  17. Caroleo, F. E., Rocca, A., Mazzocchi, P., & Quintano, C. (2020). Being NEET in Europe before and after the economic crisis: An analysis of the micro and macro determinants. Social Indicators Research, 149(3), 991-1024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-020-02270-6
  18. Cheng, W., & Nguyen P. N. T. (2023). Gender differences in future time perspectives and risk of being not in employment, education, or training: the mediating role of achievement goal motivations. Current Psychology, 42, 28180–28190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03921-2
  19. Ciccarelli, A., & Fabrizi E. (2017). Family background and persistence in NEET status. Rivista Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, 71(1), 29-40.
  20. Çelik, K., & Lüküslü D. (2012). Spotlighting a silent category of young females: The life experiences of “house girls” in Turkey. Youth & Society, 44(1), 28–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X10391636
  21. Çolak, K. & Koç, S. (2023). Bibliometric analysis and mapping with vosviewer in neet-head research in social sciences. Journal of Ekonomi, 5(2), 77–91. https://doi.org/10.58251/ekonomi.1380379
  22. Danziger, S., & Rouse, C. (2007). The price of young adulthood. Russell Sage Foundation.
  23. Elitaş, Z. (2025). Individual and family related determinants of NEET probability: An empirical study for Türkiye. Anadolu Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 26(1), 538-567. https://doi.org/10.53443/anadoluibfd.1619992
  24. Erdogan, E, Flynn, P., Nasya, B., Paabort, H., & Lendzhova, V. (2021). NEET rural–urban ecosystems: The role of urban social innovation diffusion in supporting sustainable rural pathways to education, employment, and training. Sustainability, 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112053
  25. Erdoğan, E., Yentük N., Akyüz A.A, Kurtaran Y., Yurttagüler L., Dursun K, & Oy B. (2017). Being a NEET in Turkey: Determinants and consequences (POWER2YOUTH Working Paper No. 30).
  26. Fabrizi E. & Rocca A. (2024). NEET status duration and socio-economic background. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2024.101986
  27. Fernandez-Reino, M., & Sumption, M. (2020). Understanding the impact of migration on the youth labour market: The role of NEET. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 36(1), 142–162. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxrep/graa003
  28. Gadassi, R., & Gati, I. (2009). The effect of gender stereotypes on explicit and implicit career preferences. The Counseling Psychologist, 37, 902–922. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000009334093
  29. Hwang, K. (2023). The effect of housing and household background of young people on the implementation of youth NEET. Land and Housing Review, 14(3), 1-15.
  30. Işık, V. (2016). Türkiye’de genç işsizliği ve genç nüfusta atalet. Hak İş Uluslararası Emek ve Toplum Dergisi, 5(11), 130-145.
  31. Kagawa M., Taki H., Tomohiko M., & Ojima F. (2022). NEET in Japan: Focusing on gender and cohort. In M. Levels, C. Brzinsky-Fay, C. Holmes, J. Jongbloed, & H. Taki (Eds.), The dynamics of marginalized youth not in education, employment, or trainin around the world (pp. 156-179). Routledge.
  32. Kalleberg, A. L., Reskin, B. F., & Hudson, K. (2000). Bad jobs in America: Standard and non-standard employment relations and job quality in the United States. American Sociological Review 65(2), 256-78.
  33. Kang, C. & Youn, M. (2024). Bridging the gender gap in NEET risk: Institutional influences on NEET status in different age groups. SAGE Open, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241294126
  34. Kaya, H. (2023). Does social assistance facilitate youth female’s exit from NEET? (Unpublished Master Thesis). Ankara, Middle East Technical University.
  35. Kılıç, Y. (2014). Young people in Turkey who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Eğitim ve Bilim, 39(175), 121-135. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2014.3094
  36. Köken, M., & Koç, S. (2022). Türkiye’de bölgesel Neet verilerinin mekansal panel veri analizi. Journal of International Management, Educational and Economics Perspectives, 10(2), 113–129.
  37. Lőrinc Magdolna, Louise Ryan, […], & Neil Kaye (2019). De-individualising the ‘NEET problem’: An ecological systems analysis. European Educational Research Journal, 19(5), https://doi.org/10.1177/14749041198804
  38. Lüküslü, D. & Çelik, K. (2022). Gendering the NEET category: Young NEET women in Turkey. Turkish Studies, 23(2), 200-222. https://doi.org/10.1080/14683849.2021.1882861
  39. Mascherini, M. (2018). Origins and future of the concept of NEETs in the European policy agenda. In J. O’Reilly, J. Leschke, R. Ortlieb, M. Seeleib-Kaiser & P. Villa (Eds.), Youth labor in transition: Inequalities, mobility, and policies in Europe (pp.503-529). https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190864798.003.0017
  40. Mascherini, M., Salvatore, L., Meierkord, A., & Jungblut, J.-M. (2012). NEETs: Young people not in employment, education or training: Characteristics, costs and policy responses in Europe. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound).
  41. Mills, M., & Blossfeld, H. P. (2003). Globalization, uncertainty, and changes in early life courses. Zeitschrift für Erziehungswissenschaft, 6, 188-218.
  42. Morrison Gutman, L., Sabates, R. & Schoon I. (2014). Uncertainty in educational and career aspirations: Gender differences in young people. In Gender differences in aspirations and attainment. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139128933.011
  43. Naraswati N.P. G. & Jatmiko Y. A. (2021). Individual and province-level determinants of unemployed neet as young people’s productivity indicator in Indonesia during 2020: A multilevel analysis approach. Proceedings of 2021 International Conference on Data Science and Official Statistics (ICDSOS), No. 1. https://doi.org/10.34123/icdsos.v2021i1.102
  44. Odoardi I., D’Ingiullo Dario, & Quaglione Davide. (2023). Gender disparities between young and adult NEETs: do we need a more refined policy approach? Applied Economics, 55(56), 6685-6699, https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2022.2161991
  45. Odoardi I., Quaglione Davide, D’Ingiullo Dario, & Cascioli P. (2022). The increase in the gender gap with age: an analysis on Italian NEETS. Global. & Local Economic Revies, 26(2), 99-123.
  46. OECD (2016), Society at a glance 2016: OECD social indicators, OECD Publishing, Paris.
  47. Ranzani, M., Rosati, F. (2013). The NEET trap: a dynamic analysis for Mexico. (Understanding Children´s Work Programme Working Paper Series).
  48. Simões, F. & Rio, N. B. (2020). How to increase rural NEETs professional involvement in agriculture? The roles of youth representations and vocational training packages improvement. Journal of Rural Studies. 75, 9-19.
  49. Simões, F. (2018). How to involve rural NEET youths in agriculture? Highlights of an untold story. Community Development, 49(5). 556-573. https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2018.1531899
  50. Simões, F. (2024). Rural NEETs: Individual features, challenges, and opportunities. In: F. Simões, & E. Erdogan (Eds.), NEETs in European rural areas. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45679-4_1
  51. Simões, F., Erdoğan, E., Muratović, M., and Sik, D. (2022). Scrutinising the exceptionalism of young rural NEETs: A bibliometric review. Youth & Society, 54(2), 8-28. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0044118X211040534
  52. Slav, M. (2024). Subjective Well-being of NEET based on gender and generation survey in Moldova. Economy and Sociology, (2), 76-85. https://doi.org/10.36004/nier.es.2023.2-08
  53. Susanli, Z. B. (2016). Understanding the NEET in Turkey. Eurasian Journal of Economics and Finance, 4(2), 42-57. https://doi.org/10.15604/ejef.2016.04.02.004
  54. Tamesberger D., Bacher J. (2014). NEET youth in Austria: A typology including socio-demography, labour market behaviour and permanence. Journal of Youth Studies, 17(9), 1239-1259.
  55. Torre, L. & Baquerin, M. de R. (2017). NiNis: Youth in Argentina who Neither Work nor Study. A Social Integration Deficit. Revista Española de Investigaciones Sociológicas, 158, 97-116. https://doi.org/10.5477/cis/reis.158.97
  56. Wang, M. T., & Eccles, J. S. (2013). School context, achievement motivation, and academic engagement: A longitudinal study of school engagement using a multidimensional perspective. Learning and Instruction, 28, 12–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2013.04.002
  57. Zuccotti, C. V. & O’Reilly, J. (2018). Ethnicity, gender and household effects on becoming NEET: An intersectional analysis. Work, Employment and Society, 33(3), 351-373. https://doi.org/10.1177/09500170177389