Gender asymmetry and social vulnerability of neet women: a systematic analysis over 10 years using web of science database (2016-2025)

Abstract

The phenomenon of NEET youth (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) represents a significant challenge in contemporary socio-economic policy. A pronounced gender asymmetry characterises this group, with women facing a substantially higher risk of exclusion from educational and employment opportunities due to structural, institutional, and socio-cultural barriers. This article aims to systematise the determinants and principal drivers of vulnerability among NEET women through an analysis of recent scholarly literature and to identify primary directions for developing gender-responsive employment policies. The study adopts an intersectional analytical perspective, conceptualising NEET women's vulnerability as the result of intersecting gender, age, socio-economic, and cultural inequalities. Methodologically, the research employs a systematic review of academic publications following PRISMA protocol guidelines. The final sample comprises 69 articles from the Web of Science (Core Collection) database, published between 2016 and 2025. The analysis identifies three interconnected clusters of vulnerability factors affecting NEET women: (1) demographic and familial factors, such as early motherhood and a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work; (2) psychosocial factors, including stigmatisation and diminished self-esteem; and (3) economic and educational factors, such as the gender pay gap and skill mismatches in the labour market. The findings indicate that conventional, universal employment interventions are insufficiently effective for this demographic. The scholarly contribution of this research is the development of a comprehensive analytical framework for examining female vulnerability within NEET status, thereby expanding theoretical understanding of gender-differentiated youth exclusion. The practical significance lies in substantiating the need for a shift toward gender-responsive employment policy, including the development of robust childcare infrastructure, mechanisms for flexible educational and occupational reintegration, and comprehensive social support measures.

Keywords: NEET youth, women, gender inequality, social exclusion, labour market, sociology of professions.