Long-term NEET among young adults with experience of out-of-home care: A comparative study of three Nordic countries

This study compares the risk of long-term NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) among young adults with out-of-home care (OHC) experience across Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, using register data for an entire cohort of domestic born in 1987. The Nordic countries share many features, but there are differences in the provision of after-care support and in the linkage between the educational system and the labour market. The results show that about one-fourth in Denmark and Sweden, and about one-third in Finland, of young adults with OHC experience were NEET. The high prevalence of poor school performance in the OHC population was associated with their excess risk of NEET, and the findings suggest that the current measures aimed at improving young adults’ school-to-work transition are not sufficient for youth from OHC. Implications for research, policy and practice are discussed.