One in eight young New Zealanders not earning or learning: statistics

WELLINGTON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- One in eight young New Zealanders aged under 25 is not earning or learning, the country's statistics department Stats NZ said on Wednesday.

The number of young people aged 15 to 24 years who were not in employment, education, or training (NEET) rose to 12.4 percent in the March 2018 quarter, up from 11.8 percent in the December 2017 quarter. The NEET rate was 12.7 percent a year ago, Stats NZ said.

"Education and skills training for young adults are critical steps to help set them up for working life. The NEET rate is important because it shows decision-makers how many young people may be left behind on the path to a better job and a better life," labor market manager Sean Broughton said in a statement.

The latest data reflects a fall in the NEET rate for women (to 12.8 percent), which was partly offset by a rise for men (to 12.1 percent). In comparison, a year ago the NEET rates for women and men were 13.8 percent and 11.8 percent, respectively, Broughton said.

"Since the series began in 2004, the proportion of young women not earning or learning has been higher than that for young men. This gender gap has now almost disappeared," he said.

Over the last decade, the number of women aged 20 to 24 years who were not in the labor force or education because of caregiving has fallen from 20,000 to 11,000, Stats NZ said. Enditem