ENGLAND — The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) reported a decline in confidence regarding future success among 16- to 21-year-olds in England. This report follows an increase in the number of people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment, or training (NEET) to over 1 million, marking the first time this figure has been reached in ten years.

The IPPR analyzed survey data collected by the Office for National Statistics regarding youth attitudes. Data from the Understanding Society survey indicated that the proportion of 16- to 21-year-olds who rated their chances of future success at 20 percent or less increased from 2 percent between 2015 and 2017 to 6 percent between 2023 and 2025. Additionally, the share of 16- to 21-year-olds who believed they had an 80 percent or greater chance of experiencing long-term unemployment increased to 7 percent during the same period.

Ellie Harris, head of children and young people at IPPR, said. "Young people are telling us clearly that the deal no longer adds up. For too many, the promise that hard work will lead to security and opportunity no longer feels credible." Harris said. "Confidence is falling across England, across social groups, and across genders."

Twenty-five percent of individuals aged 16 to 29 agreed with the statement that everyone has a fair chance to advance based on talent and hard work. In older demographics, 35 percent of people aged 50 to 69 and more than 40 percent of those over age 70 agreed with this sentiment.

A government spokesperson said. "We recognise too many young people have been locked out of opportunity. That’s why we are bringing forward a £2.5bn youth employment support package to help almost 1 million young people either earn or learn." The spokesperson added. "We are also expanding youth hubs to every corner of Great Britain to provide crucial skills, job and housing support for the future generation." The IPPR study is part of the State of a Generation project, which is sponsored by the Youth Futures Foundation, Big Change, and McDonald’s.