Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
European Commission
Eurostat – Statistical Office of the European Union
L-2920 Luxembourg
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
27 March 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
30 April 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
15 April 2025
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth and SDG 4 on ensuring inclusive and quality education for all, which are embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under the ‘Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model’ and ‘A new plan for Europe's sustainable prosperity and competitiveness’.
SDG 8 recognises the importance of sustained economic growth and high levels of economic productivity for the creation of well-paid quality jobs and the achievement of global prosperity. It draws particular attention to creating opportunities for the youth who are not in education, employment and training in order to prevent future erosion of skills and job discouragement. SDG 4 seeks to ensure that people have access to equitable and quality education through all stages of life, from early childhood education and care, through primary and secondary schooling, to technical, vocational training and tertiary education.
This indicator can be considered as identical with global SDG indicator 8.6.1 "Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment or training". Furthermore, it is included as main indicator in the Social Scoreboard for the European Pillar of Social Rights.
The European Pillar of Social Rights, jointly proclaimed by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council in 2017, sets out 20 key principles and rights essential for fair and well-functioning labour markets and social protection systems. The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, adopted in 2021, turns the Principles into concrete actions to benefit citizens. It also proposes an ambitious employment target of 78 % of the population aged 20 to 64 for the EU to reach by 2030. In support of this, the Action Plan proposes to halve the gender employment gap by 2030 compared with 2019 and to decrease the rate of young people neither in employment nor in education or training (NEET) aged 15 to 29 to 9 % by 2030.
The breakdown of the indicator by citizenship is presented as a separate table, sdg_08_20a. It is used to monitor progress towards the social inclusion of migrants within the scope of SDG 10 on reducing inequalities.
4.1. Data description
The indicator measures the share of the population aged 15 to 29 who is not employed and not involved in education or training.
The numerator of the indicator refers to persons who meet the following two conditions: (a) they are not employed (i.e. unemployed or outside the labour force according to the International Labour Organisation definition) and (b) they have not received any education or training (i.e. neither formal nor non-formal) in the four weeks preceding the Labour Force Survey (LFS).
In table sdg_08_20, the denominator includes the total population aged 15 to 29.
In table sdg_08_20a, the denominator includes the total population aged 15 to 29 (excluding those who did not answer the questions on 'participation in regular (formal) education and training').
The separate table sdg_08_20a shows the breakdown of the people at risk of poverty by citizenship. It shows the shares for citizens of the reporting country, for foreigners from EU countries and non-EU citizens.
4.2. Unit of measure
% of the population aged 15 to 29
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
EU (LFS)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: EU Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS)
Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year
5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
The indicator is updated annually in April. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year
5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS
6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland,North Macedonia and Türkiye.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS
6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years
6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
sdg08_20 Presented times series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2009.
sdg08_20a Presented times series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2004.
Analysis of these indicators are presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards the SDGs in the an EU context).
The indicator measures the share of the population aged 15 to 29 who is not employed and not involved in education or training.
The numerator of the indicator refers to persons who meet the following two conditions: (a) they are not employed (i.e. unemployed or outside the labour force according to the International Labour Organisation definition) and (b) they have not received any education or training (i.e. neither formal nor non-formal) in the four weeks preceding the Labour Force Survey (LFS).
In table sdg_08_20, the denominator includes the total population aged 15 to 29.
In table sdg_08_20a, the denominator includes the total population aged 15 to 29 (excluding those who did not answer the questions on 'participation in regular (formal) education and training').
The separate table sdg_08_20a shows the breakdown of the people at risk of poverty by citizenship. It shows the shares for citizens of the reporting country, for foreigners from EU countries and non-EU citizens.
15 April 2025
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Calendar year
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
