NOT FULLY ENGAGED IN EDUCATION AND/OR EMPLOYMENT


KEY SERIES

NOT FULLY ENGAGED IN EDUCATION AND/ OR EMPLOYMENT(a), 15-19 years
	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
Males	12.3	13.2	11.8	11.7	12.2	10.7	14.1	15.3	12.7	12.8
Females	14.1	15.1	16.1	14.7	13.4	14.3	17.0	14.3	15.6	13.2
(a) Males and females not fully engaged in education and/or employment as a proportion of persons aged 15-19 years for each sex. Source: ABS data available on request, Survey of Education and Work.

RELATED SERIES

NOT FULLY ENGAGED IN EDUCATION AND/ OR EMPLOYMENT(a), 20-24 years
	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	(b)2010	2011	2012
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
Males	18.7	17.7	16.9	16.9	14.2	14.8	20.2	18.0	17.9	18.5
Females	27.5	27.4	26.2	25.4	25.9	24.4	24.3	25.8	27.2	26.2
(a) Males and females not fully engaged in education and/or employment as a proportion of persons aged 20-24 years for each sex. (b) 2010 data revised since previous release. Source: ABS data available on request, Survey of Education and Work.

COMMENTARY




In 2012, the majority of males and females aged 15-19 years were fully engaged in education and/ or employment, but a small proportion of males and females were not engaged (13% of each). The proportions of males and females not fully engaged in education and/or employment were higher for the 20-24 year age group than for the 15-19 year age group, with a higher proportion of females (26%) in this age group not being fully engaged in education and/or employment than of males (18%).

Levels of participation in education and the labour market are frequently used indicators of the wellbeing of young people. Research suggests that young people who are not fully engaged in education or employment (or a combination of both) are at greater risk of unemployment, cycles of low pay, and employment insecurity in the longer term. Participation in education and training, and engaging in employment, are considered important aspects of developing individual capability and building a socially inclusive society. (Endnote 1)

Over the last decade (2003-2012), the proportion of 15-19 year old males and females not fully engaged in education and/or employment has remained relatively stable, except between 2008 and 2009 where there was an increase of around 3 percentage points respectively. This reflected the change in market circumstances at that time. (Endnote 1)

It is not surprising that the proportions of males and females not fully engaged in education and/or employment were lower in the 15-19 year age group than in the 20-24 year age group as the majority of those aged 15-19 years were still attending school.







In 2012, there was a greater proportion of 20-24 year old females (26%) not fully engaged in education and/or employment compared to males (18%). Differences in non-engagement between males and females at this age may, in part, be a reflection of the greater likelihood of females being a carer of young children. (Endnote 1) However, of those not fully engaged 20-24 year olds, similar proportions of males and females were neither working or studying (54% and 48% respectively). Of those who were working or studying, similar proportions undertook either part time work only (39% of males and 45% of females) or part time study only (6% each). (Endnote 2)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 15-19 years were more likely to not be fully engaged in education and/or employment, compared to the total population aged 15-19 years. In 2008, about one-third of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males and females aged 15-19 years were not fully engaged. The proportions of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males and females aged 15-19 years who were not fully engaged declined from 39% of males and 47% of females in 2002, to 31% of males and 35% of females in 2008.

Compared to 15-19 year olds, there were higher proportions of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males and females in the 20-24 year age group who were not fully engaged. In 2008, over half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 20-24 years were not fully engaged. A higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females (73%) were not engaged compared to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males (53%).




ENDNOTES

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics, March 2010, Australian Social Trends, Mar 2010, (cat. no. 4102.0) <www.abs.gov.au>.
2. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Data available on request, Survey of Education and Work, 2012.

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