Indicator: 49 - Youth Not in School and Not Working

Why This Is Important

Parents are responsible for the welfare of their children, which includes providing for their education and supporting a young person's ability to gain employment. The detachment of young people from school or the labor force, especially if it lasts for several years, increases the risk that a young person, over time, will have lower earnings and a less-stable employment history than his or her peers who stayed in school and/or secured jobs.

Where We Stand

Data in the above chart shows the estimated percentage of all youth aged 16-19 who were not enrolled in school full- or part-time, and also not employed full- or part-time. There has been little change in these levels since the mid-1990's, with Maine's rate generally being slightly lower than the U.S. rate. Nationally, the percentages have been higher for girls, non-whites, and youth aged 18-19 (for details on that, see America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2001 on-line at http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren).

Data Sources and Context

The data source for this indicator is special tabulations of U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Survey microdata prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as published in the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Data Books for 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Recent data books can be accessed on-line at http://www.aecf.org.