Different NEETs, different needs? Explaining why vulnerable young people are more likely to become NEET

The main objective of this dissertation is explaining why some vulnerable young people in society are more likely to become Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) as compared with others. NEETs are less well integrated in society and are at greater risk of long-term socioeconomic marginalization, criminal careers, unwanted pregnancies, social rejection, and serious mental and physical health issues. Subsequently, these consequences could also affect their families and the society as a whole. This dissertation investigates three important groups of vulnerable young adults: low literate people, young mothers and early school-leavers from two different perspectives focusing on institutions (macro) and the family (micro/meso). The results show that both skills and financial resources are important in preventing early school leaving and becoming NEET. In addition, it is also found that policies that should help NEETs often do not reach the most vulnerable ones or are less effective.