As at 13 October 2026 · official data unless labelled

Young people not in work, education or training

8.51%Better than the OECD median▲ 1.02 pts2024vs OECD median 10%

What the numbers are telling us

The share of young people not in work, education or training was 8.51% in 2024, up 1.02 pts on the previous reading (7.49%).

It is below its 10-year average of 8.9%, which is a better reading than usual.

Across 33 OECD countries (2024), Australia ranks 10th best of 33 on youth not in work or study, below the median of 10%.

Why it matters

Young people disconnected from both work and study risk lasting harm to earnings and wellbeing.

What it should be

There is no official target, so Australia is judged against comparable countries: lower than the OECD median is better. The OECD median is 10%.

Youth not in work or study: the last 15 readings

Young people not in work, education or training, 2010 to 2024

Source: OECD, How's Life? Current well-being (OECD WISE).

Australia ranks 10th best of 33 OECD countries

Youth not in work or study, 2024; OECD median 10%

Netherlands4.14

Czechia4.46

Norway4.64

Ireland6.46

Sweden7.04

Latvia7.77

Slovenia7.87

Germany8.04

Denmark8.44

Australia8.51

Luxembourg8.84

Slovak Republic8.98

Source: OECD and World Bank cross-country series as stored.

Every figure on this page is calculated from the stored official series (OECD, How's Life? Current well-being (OECD WISE)); the summary is written from the numbers, not edited by hand.