From Europe to Asia: Youth Guarantee model to tackle NEET challenge in Thailand

Thailand has become the first country outside the EU and its neighbourhood to explore the introduction of a Youth Guarantee policy initiative to support youth non in education, employment or training (NEET) and those at risk of dropping out. 

In an upper-middle income country where the government is focused on raising standards of living as its population ages, concern has been growing over the number of young people classified as NEET – not in employment, education or training.

Youth in focus as the Thai population ages

The issue has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with research carried out in 2023 by UNICEF revealing that nearly 1.4 million Thai youth aged 15-24 fell into the NEET category. This represents 15% of the 9.2 million Thais in the cohort, with young women making up a striking 70% of NEET. The situation is particularly critical for those aged 20-24, a key transition phase from education to employment.

Recognising the urgency of the challenge, Thailand has embedded youth employment and development within its long-term strategic frameworks, including the 20-year National Strategy (2018-2037) and the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP) 2023-2027. It is against this backdrop that key ministries from the Thai government, local administrative organizations, and civil society organisations, have come together to seek solutions that align with the country’s socio-economic development goals.

Patima Chongcharoentanawat, Director of Strategic Studies and Research Division of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), emphasised the need for action: “Youth NEETs represent a critical demographic in our society. In the face of an ageing population and shrinking workforce, we cannot afford to overlook this valuable human potential. While policy frameworks exist, the key challenge lies in implementation. Local, innovative initiatives offer promising solutions to engage and empower our youth, ultimately strengthening our nation's future.”

ETF peer learning inspires Thailand’s approach

In June 2023, a Thai high level government delegation, supported by UNICEF Thailand, visited the European Training Foundation (ETF) headquarters in Turin for an intensive peer learning programme to understand how the EU tackles youth joblessness. The visit included interactions with regional Public Employment Services in the Piemonte and Veneto regions, education and training providers, and experts involved in implementing the Youth Guarantee scheme in the Western Balkans.

With an ambitious target to reduce the NEET rate from 15% to 5% within five years, Thailand has moved swiftly to implement pilot projects in six provinces, based on European experiences.

Pilot projects take off in Udon Thani

Inspired by the EU’s Reinforced Youth Guarantee, pilot initiatives have already demonstrated promising results in the first year of implementation. More than 10,000 young people were surveyed in six pilot provinces, with 1,800 receiving tailored support. In the Na Phu subdistrict, the fist pilot site, the approach of mapping individual youth aspirations, outreach, preparation, and tailored education, training and employment opportunities has led to remarkable success, with 96 percent of the youth engaged successfully transitioning into education, employment or further training within a year

Initially met with hesitation, the programme gained traction with the backing of the Na Phu Sub-District Administrative Organisation (SAO).A key factor in its success was the capacity building on youth work standards provided by UNICEF Thailand and the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI). This training was fundamental in equipping stakeholders, including youth mentors, with the knowledge and skills to effectively engage and support vulnerable youth, ensuring a structured approach to their reintegration. 

Amnuay Intratirai, Chief Executive of the Na Phu Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, explained the local perspective: “We don’t view NEETs in Na Phu as troubled youth but rather as individuals who lack opportunities to develop their skills and abilities. Having UNICEF, NESDC and Udon Than Rajabhat University involved has made out work easier. We’ve been able to bring over 96 percent of young people who entered our project back into education and the labour market – recognised in a Good Governance Award our district received last year.”

The success of the initiative was recognised in October 2024 when Na Phu won the €85,000 (Thai Baht 3 million) first prize in the 2024 Local Administrative Organisation Good Governance Award by the Prime Minister. The pilot is now set to scale to 11 additional subdistricts in Udon Thani province by 2025.

Expanding the model: challenges and opportunities

Thailand is now taking steps towards a nationwide Youth Guarantee scheme, and expanded the pilot into the four southern border provinces (Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat). The Ministry of Labour’s existing Labour Graduate programme has been mobilised to support the different phases of the pilot project through dedicated personnel. 

The results so far have been encouraging: in Narathiwat province, for example, over 80% of identified NEET youth received individualised support and have been reintegrated within seven months of joining the programme, with onward paths including continuing education, vocational training, and employment.

Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, underscored the commitment to long-term youth development: “Recognising the importance of youth development as a key pillar of human capital, the Ministry of Labour integrates various activities to promote youth development in an operational plan for 2024-2027. We are committed to reducing the number of youth NEETs by equipping them with essential skills to become a high-quality workforce - critical for driving Thailand’s future economic growth and development. The partnership with UNICEF on the pilot integrated services for NEET youth in four Southern Border Provinces is welcomed and showing impressive results, with over 2,000 youth engaged.”

The success of these pilot schemes demonstrates how effectively Thailand is adapting the EU’s Youth Guarantee model to the local context. The approach is now being shared widely by government departments, regional authorities, NGOs, and UNICEF as a blueprint for a national strategy to address NEET challenges across the country.

Global interest in the Youth Guarantee

Thailand is not alone in recognising the potential of the Youth Guarantee model. The Western Balkans have already seen positive outcomes from similar adaptations of the scheme, with support from the European Commission, the ETF and other international organisations.

Next March, a delegation of Ukrainian education, training, and employment officials, social partners, and youth stakeholders will visit Turin and Rome for an intensive introduction to how European countries address the needs of NEET youth. The visit will focus on peer learning from Italy, Finland, and Poland, covering topics such as labour market integration, skills reforms, career guidance, and the role of Public Employment Services. The delegation will also engage with government ministries and employment service providers to explore best practices for implementing a Youth Guarantee model in Ukraine.