Children who experience social isolation in school are up to twice as likely to face joblessness and a lack of engagement in education or training upon reaching adulthood, according to a recent study.
The King's College London research, published in the journal Development and Psychopathology, found that 12-year-olds who were frequently isolated, such as by sitting alone during breaks or not being chosen for group activities, had significantly poorer career prospects by age 18. These individuals were more than twice as likely to be classified as NEET—not in employment, education, or training.
This study is believed to be the first to quantify the impact of childhood social isolation and loneliness on future career outcomes. Researchers suggest that addressing these feelings in early adolescence could not only improve young people's life chances but also contribute to economic growth through increased productivity.
The findings emerge amid rising NEET figures. In the UK, the number of individuals aged 16 to 24 classified as NEET surpassed one million this year, reaching its highest point since 2013. A separate government-commissioned review into youth unemployment warned that this figure could rise to one in six young people within five years, from the current rate of one in eight.
This crisis is estimated to cost the UK approximately £125 billion annually, encompassing lost tax receipts and increased healthcare and welfare expenditures. The study's authors noted a potential link between these trends and the pandemic, suggesting that school closures may have exacerbated feelings of isolation among children who were around 12 years old at the time.
Researchers analyzed data from a longitudinal study that tracked 2,232 individuals born in England and Wales between 1994 and 1996. They assessed social isolation and loneliness at ages 12 and 18. Social isolation was defined as the absence of positive social relationships and a limited social network with few interactions.
"Given the concern about growing NEET rates, these findings suggest that tackling childhood social isolation could be a valuable lever for improving young people’s life chances and job prospects," said Dr. Bridget Bryan, the study's lead author. Professor Louise Arseneault, a senior author and developmental psychologist at King's, added that schools and services are often well-positioned to identify withdrawn or isolated children, and early intervention could significantly benefit their future.