Thousands of Young People in Bratislava Region Remain Outside Work and Education

Despite being Slovakia's most economically prosperous region, the Bratislava area still has thousands of young people who are neither employed nor in education or training. According to data from Eurostat, the EU's statistical agency, 7.5% of people under 30 in the Bratislava region fall into this category — a group often referred to in policy circles as NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training). To address the problem, the Digital Coalition, an initiative aimed at improving digital skills and employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups, is working to help these young people find a path into the workforce or further education. The Bratislava region, which surrounds and includes Slovakia's capital, serves as the country's economic hub and home to many of its largest employers and institutions, making the persistence of youth unemployment there particularly notable. Youth disengagement from work and education is a concern across the European Union, as young people who remain outside both systems for extended periods face greater long-term risks of social exclusion and poverty. Targeted programs like the Digital Coalition represent efforts to intervene early and connect at-risk youth with skills and opportunities before those risks deepen.