Kostanay Region Cuts NEET Youth Numbers by Over 70% in Two Years
The number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) in Kostanay Region has dropped sharply over the past two years. In 2023, the figure reached 11,924—a record high—due to changes in the youth age bracket. By the end of 2025, that number had fallen to 3,330, following targeted efforts to engage and support at-risk youth. The NEET rate in Kostanay Region climbed to 5.7% in 2023, with nearly 12,000 young people classified as inactive. Authorities attributed the spike partly to an expanded age range for tracking youth unemployment. A year later, the figure halved, marking a significant decline.
In 2025, regional services provided 16,301 consultations for NEET youth, with 11,366 delivered under state-backed programs. The Youth Resource Center alone conducted 3,691 sessions in just the first half of the year. Outreach methods included door-to-door visits, social media campaigns, and partnerships with probation services to identify vulnerable individuals. Despite these efforts, the region lacks specialised programs for NEET youth beyond general career advice. Job fairs, held quarterly, have proven the most effective tool in helping young people secure work. Urban areas, particularly the regional capital of Kostanay, report the highest concentrations of NEET individuals, while rural districts see far fewer cases.
The decline in NEET numbers reflects a mix of outreach and consultation services. Quarterly job fairs remain a key driver in connecting youth with employers. However, the absence of tailored programs suggests further measures may be needed to sustain progress in reducing youth inactivity.
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