Washington: A new analysis from the World Bank is drawing attention to a major gender divide among young people who are neither working nor studying. The data show that young women are considerably more likely than young men to fall into the NEET category—meaning they are not in education, employment or training.

The World Bank’s latest Human Capital Index Plus analysis focuses specifically on people aged 20 to 24 and shows that the problem is particularly pronounced in several developing regions.

Women Face a Much Higher Risk

Globally, about 40% of women aged 20–24 are neither working nor studying, compared with 17% of men in the same age group, according to the World Bank analysis.

The regional differences are even more striking.

In the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region, approximately 63% of young women aged 20–24 are NEET, compared with about 20% of young men. In South Asia, the corresponding figures are around 55% for women and 15% for men.

The World Bank notes that the regional classification changed in July 2025, when Afghanistan and Pakistan were moved from South Asia into the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan grouping.

A Wider Development Challenge

Being outside both education and employment during the transition into adulthood can mean lost opportunities to develop skills and gain professional experience.

The World Bank’s broader research indicates that women account for roughly two-thirds of the world’s NEET population. It also points to factors including early marriage and motherhood, unpaid care responsibilities and work in family enterprises as contributors to women’s higher rates of inactivity in some countries.

The issue is therefore not simply about unemployment. A young person classified as NEET may be outside formal employment while also not participating in education or training, potentially limiting future opportunities to build skills and earnings.

South Asia Faces a Significant Challenge

The figures are particularly significant for South Asia, a region with a large and rapidly evolving young population.

The World Bank has repeatedly highlighted the importance of connecting young people with productive employment and skills development. Ensuring that more young women can participate in education, training and the labour market could help countries make better use of their human capital.

The broader international data also show a persistent gender divide. The United Nations reported that young women globally were more than twice as likely as young men to be NEET in 2023.

Barriers to Women’s Employment

The World Bank identifies several factors that can restrict women’s participation in labour markets, including limited access to safe transportation, childcare challenges, workplace conditions, social expectations and legal barriers.

In the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region, the World Bank says female labour-force participation remains far below the male rate, illustrating the wider employment challenge facing women.

For policymakers, reducing the number of young women outside education and employment could therefore require measures extending beyond job creation. Better access to skills training, childcare, safe transport and suitable workplaces may also be important.

Turning a Youth Challenge Into an Economic Opportunity

The World Bank’s findings highlight the economic importance of helping young people make a successful transition from education into productive work.

For countries with large youth populations, bringing more young women into education, training and employment could expand the pool of available talent and strengthen long-term human capital.

The data suggest that closing the gender gap in youth participation is not only a social objective but could also have significant economic implications.

Key Figures

• Global women aged 20–24 who are NEET: about 40%
• Global men aged 20–24 who are NEET: about 17%
• MENAAP women aged 20–24: about 63%
• MENAAP men aged 20–24: about 20%
• South Asian women aged 20–24: about 55%
• South Asian men aged 20–24: about 15%

The World Bank’s findings underline a persistent challenge: millions of young people, particularly women, risk missing critical opportunities to gain education, skills and work experience during an important stage of their lives.