We can usually find data on NEETs in Latin America. However, ECLAC published a report about the Yes-Yes, those young persons who are both, in employment and in education.  

Paraguay, Costa Rica and Uruguay have the largest share of young people who work and study in the region.

In addition, in Uruguay the largest share of Yes-Yes aged 20 to 29 years old are women, according to a recent report developed by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

The study uses comparative data of 2014 from 17 countries and reveals that people Paraguay, Costa Rica and Uruguay lead the global ranking of young people aged 20 to 24 years old who are in employment and in education (18.5%, 18.3% and 17.6% respectively).

In the 25 to 29 years old segment, Costa Rica (16.5%), and Uruguay (15%) show the largest shares. Argentina (12.75%) and Brazil (10.95%) fall back behind the highest averages.

The report “Employment situation in Latin and the Caribbean: The transition of young people from school to the labour market”, developed by ECLAC and the International Labour Organization (ILO) details that in the case of Uruguayan women, 19.6% of those who are between 20 and 24 years old work and study, and 16.5% do both things among women aged 25 to 29 years old. Among men, 15.7% are Yes-Yes in the first group and 13.4% in the second.

When analyzing the age group of 15 to 19 years old, Uruguay has one of the lowest rates of the region: only 7.3% are in employment and in education (7.5% men and 7.1% women). Only Chile (4%), Argentina (4.6%), Costa Rica (5%) and Venezuela (6.9%) are below that rate.

“There are remarkable differences among the countries in the region regarding the weight of the employment and education combination in different age groups. Even though the 20 to 24 age group shows the largest share of young people with this combination –such is the case of Uruguay-, in Bolivia, Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Peru the youngest group (15 to 19 years old) shows the highest percentages”, states the study.

“The transition period from school to stable jobs is shorter for young people who have previous working experience”, points out the report. In the case of Uruguay, the average transition period is of about six years (one of the shortest), setting the country behind Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico (around five years) and Brazil (four years).

The research also claims that, even though Latin America has smaller share of young people who work and study when compared to developed countries, the trend is growing.

According to ECLAC, “the role of the State is key to enable successful transitions from school to work. Most Latin American countries have youth employment and social integration as key items of their agendas”.