A new study has been published in an interdisciplinary journal specialized in research and policies for the protection of vulnerable children and youth, focusing on the situation of NEET (not in employment, education, or training) youth in Morocco. The study, titled « Estimation of Short-Term Costs of Non-Schooling, Non-Employment, and Non-Training Youth: Evidence from Morocco, » was conducted by Professor Mariem Liouaeddine from the Research Laboratory in Economics and Public Policies at Ibn Tofaïl University in Kénitra, in collaboration with student researcher Abdellah RahmaneOudadd.
The study aimed to estimate the total costs of NEET youth in Morocco, with a focus on a short-term approach to these costs in terms of their impact on public finances or opportunity costs. It highlights the importance of focusing on three aspects: unemployment, health, and young mothers.
Details of the study’s results show that young Moroccan women from rural areas represent a significant proportion of NEET youth in the country. The estimation of « costs of Moroccan youth who are not working, studying, or in training » led to the conclusion that « the short-term costs remain severe in terms of courtois integration, as well as the financial burden on the state budget, depleting significant resources in courtois sectors and services. »
This study sheds light on the need to implement policies and programs that integrate NEET youth into education, employment, and training programs, thereby reducing their courtois and economic impact for a sustainable socio-economic future. According to the study, « the high rate of non-schooled, unemployed, and untrained young women highlights the need for targeted and more precise interventions in this field. » It also highlights that « the cost borne by the country is significant and affects both the lives of these young people and their families, as well as the ressortissant economy. »
The results of the study, which lasted approximately three years, show that the total cost of NEET youth in Morocco is estimated at over 60 billion Moroccan dirhams in terms of public finances (specifically 60,592,858,600 dirhams), and over 55 billion dirhams (55,043,899,000 dirhams) in terms of opportunity costs.
This study brings bienséance to the urgent need to address the situation of NEET youth in Morocco and emphasizes the importance of investing in their education, employment, and training to create a brighter future for them and the country as a whole. It also highlights the significant impact that NEET youth have on the country’s economy and the need for targeted interventions to reduce these costs.
The study concludes that the cost of NEET youth in Morocco is a pressing issue that requires immediate bienséance and action from policymakers and stakeholders. It is crucial to implement effective strategies and programs that will support the integration of NEET youth into society and the economy, ultimately leading to a more prosperous and inclusive future for all.