There is empirical evidence that suggests differential participation in the labour force can influence health.  In the UK, there has been a trend of rising youth unemployment levels since the 1970’s, and substantial increases were observed between 2008 and 2013 due to the last recession. Recent policy concern has shifted from youth unemployment to the “NEET”: a young person (16-24 years) “Not in Employment, Education or Training”. There is little research however on what happens to the NEET later on in the life course, either economically or health-wise.

Using nationally representative historical data from the ONS Longitudinal Study derived from the UK census, my project aims to investigate the exposure of NEET status and its socio-economic and health consequences using a life-course approach. The health outcomes are limiting long-term illness and mortality. The cross-sectional predictors of NEET status are also examined in two cohorts of young people born 20 years apart.