Turkey Leads OECD in NEET Youth Rates: Alarming Gaps in Education Revealed

Turkey’s youth face a growing crisis, with the country topping the OECD list for the highest proportion of young people aged 18-24 who are neither in education nor employment (NEET). According to data from 2023, Turkey’s NEET rate stands at 31.1%, more than double the OECD average of 13.8%, underscoring serious structural issues in education and youth employment.

The findings come from the recently published “Education Outlook 2024: Monitoring and Evaluation Report” by Eğitim-Bir-Sen. The report outlines five main challenges within the Turkish education system, alongside proposed policy solutions. Here's a breakdown of the key insights:

1. Secondary Education Access Still Limited in Several Regions

The report emphasizes that access to secondary education remains insufficient, particularly in provinces where school enrollment among 14-17-year-olds is low. A notable gender disparity has been observed, with boys being disproportionately affected. The union calls for an urgent review of existing educational policies and targeted interventions to improve secondary school enrollment rates.

2. Decline in Open Education Enrollment Signals a Shift

During the 2023/24 academic year, the number of students enrolled in open education programs dropped by over 1.1 million, settling at 1,229,802 students. This marks the lowest share (18.6%) in open high school education over the past decade. The reasons behind this sharp decrease must be thoroughly analyzed to guide future policy decisions.

3. Special Education Students Struggle to Transition to Secondary Level

A sharp increase in the number of special education students in primary schools has been recorded over the last three years. However, very few of these students continue into secondary education, revealing a critical gap. The report stresses the need for inclusive policies to ensure these students are not left behind and are appropriately guided into vocational pathways when needed.

4. High School Graduation Rates Lag Among Young Males

Despite secondary education being mandatory, graduation rates among 18-21-year-olds, especially males, remain low. The report recommends reevaluating policies surrounding school dropouts and improving support systems for students at risk of leaving education prematurely.

5. Turkey Tops NEET Rankings: A Call for Youth-Centered Reforms

With the highest NEET rate among OECD countries, Turkey faces a serious challenge. A NEET population of over 30% signals not just educational gaps but also a lack of employment opportunities and career pathways. The report urges comprehensive policies to reintegrate youth into education, vocational training, or the labor force.

“Such a high rate of young people who are neither in education nor in employment is a point of concern,” the report warns.

Teacher Shortages and Salary Disparities Persist

Another pressing concern is the reduction in teacher recruitment, especially in 2017, 2022, and 2024—years with the lowest appointment numbers in a decade. The union suggests that teacher demand should be recalculated and recruitment efforts scaled up accordingly.

Additionally, the report points out that teacher salaries and those of school administrators remain significantly below the OECD average, recommending adjustments based on career levels to improve retention and performance.

Overcrowded Classrooms and Regional Inequality Continue

Despite improvements in some areas, Turkey still exceeds the OECD average in terms of students per teacher and class size, excluding vocational schools. The problem is especially pronounced in underprivileged provinces, where regional disparities in educational infrastructure remain stark.

The union suggests that new schools and classrooms should be strategically built in disadvantaged regions to address chronic inequalities.

Low Per-Student Spending Deepens the Divide

According to purchasing power parity, Turkey spends just $4,219 per student, while the OECD average is nearly three times higher. This vast gap in educational investment highlights a need for increased funding to ensure Turkish students receive comparable resources and opportunities.