Panama has 18.4% Nini, the situation is serious in the region

Region Central American You are faced with an urgent challenge that, if not addressed urgently, may limit your ability to create prosperity. This challenge is the growing percentage of young people who do not have employment, education or training, better known as the Ninis group.

In order to fully understand the seriousness of this problem, let’s look at the figures published by the International Labor Organization. In the Northern Triangle, in Guatemala, the percentage of young people neither studying nor working rose from 24.67% in 2011 to an alarming 31.66% in 2022. The same as Honduras, which maintained a constant increase in its rates, jumping from 26, 53% in 2011 to 31.96% in 2022. Only El Salvador reduced the NINI percentage from 28.93% in 2011 to 26.74% in 2022; and although it shows a downward trend in the last year, it still maintains levels above the Latin American average.

In the rest of the region, the occurrence remained stable and below average Latin American. Costa Ricaalthough with a period of fluctuation, it is 20.16% in 2022. Panama It had a slight decline in the percentage of young people who neither study nor work, from 20.08% in 2011 to 18.74% in 2022. Although both countries show a growth trend as a result of the pandemic crisis. In the case of Nicaragua, there is insufficient data for analysis.

The magnitude of this data becomes clearer when we compare it to more prosperous economies. For example, North America recorded a percentage of 17.93% in 2022, while the OECD average was 11.12%. This comparison serves to highlight the critical need for action in the region. Especially if we take into account the negative effects related to the young population that does not produce and is not educated.

A significant group of young people neither in school nor at work implies an unused potential that could otherwise contribute to innovation and productivity. The high rate of NEET creates significant economic losses in terms of contributions Gross domestic product (GDP) and higher costs of social assistance for the poorer population.

In terms of welfare, people in the category you are not they often face mental and physical health problems due to unemployment and lack of educational engagement. Also, socially, social unrest is increased; as high levels of widespread frustration and disillusionment foster feelings of marginalization, increasing the risk of social instability.

But despite the dark scenario, the good news is that it is not an insurmountable challenge. Of course, comprehensive policies are needed that cover education, employment, social protection and above all inclusion. Addressing the various challenges and obstacles faced by women, indigenous communities and other marginalized groups who often make up a large part of the Nini population.

And like any complex problem, it requires multisectoral alliances, where the private sector and the education sector can prioritize the development and implementation of vocational training programs, strong career guidance services and flexible educational opportunities that are aligned with the needs of the labor market; and which facilitate the transition from education to work.

The future is now, and the challenge is no less, because we are faced with a world that is progressing towards tomorrow Artificial intelligence and exponential technologies, the right human capital will be the key to attracting investment, increasing consumption, improving productivity; in short, to generate sustainable economic growth. In this sense, it must be clear that it will not be possible to strive for a prosperous, modern region with a high degree of social progress, if young people are not prepared for that future.