More Scottish teenagers are in work, education or training, figures have shown, but the poorest are five times less likely to participate.
Figures released on Tuesday by Skills Development Scotland show 93.6% of those aged between 16 and 19 on March 31 were in work, education or training, up from 93.3% at the same time in 2025.
The majority (70.8%) were in education, with 20.6% in work and 2.2% in training.
But there was a stark drop-off between those aged 16 and 19, with an 11.1% gap between the two as youngsters leave school.
According to the statistics, the number of those not participating – often described as being not in employment, education or training (Neets) – also fell slightly from 3.9% to 3.7%.
Of those, 2% were actively seeking to participate – the same as last year – while 1.7% were deemed to be economically inactive, down from 1.9%.
The issue of Neets has come to the fore in recent years as governments north and south of the border seek to improve the picture for young people.
Teenagers from the most deprived backgrounds were more than five times more likely to be a Neet than their more affluent counterparts – 6.7% compared with 1.2%.
The gap fell from the previous year, when the figures were 7.1% and 1.3% respectively.
While it is encouraging that participation among 16-year-olds is so high, the fact that this falls to just 88.1% by the age of 19 shows that too many young people are being left behind
East Renfrewshire fared best, with 97.1% participating, while Clackmannanshire saw just 90.9%.
Scottish Labour economy spokesman Daniel Johnson said the gap between those aged 16 and 19 should be a “wake-up call” for the Scottish Government.
“While it is encouraging that participation among 16-year-olds is so high, the fact that this falls to just 88.1% by the age of 19 shows that too many young people are being left behind,” he said.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential, whether that is through further or higher education, an apprenticeship, or a job.
“But those opportunities must be accessible, and young people must be given the support they need to take them up.
“The Scottish Government cannot afford to be complacent.
Scotland’s two left-wing governments are far too content with trapping people on a life on benefits, rather than helping them reach their full potential. After nearly two decades in power, SNP ministers need to ditch their current approach and prioritise work over welfare
“We need to do more to tackle the barriers facing young people, particularly those from our most deprived communities, and ensure that no young person is left without a positive pathway into education, training, or employment.”
Scottish Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy said the figures were “deeply alarming”, accusing the Scottish Government of “barely shifting the dial”.
“They are continuing to rob far too many young Scots of opportunities and are showing a complete lack of ambition when it comes to growing the economy,” he said.
“And despite John Swinney’s rhetoric, it is still those from the most deprived communities who are suffering the most due to the failures of the SNP.
“Scotland’s two left-wing governments are far too content with trapping people on a life on benefits, rather than helping them reach their full potential. After nearly two decades in power, SNP ministers need to ditch their current approach and prioritise work over welfare.”
Speaking to the Press Association during a visit in Edinburgh on Tuesday, First Minister John Swinney said: “I want to make sure that young people are economically active and fully engaged in our society.
“We’ve got record levels of positive destinations in Scottish society and the figures today on the participation levels in the economy show an increase in the number of 16 to 19-year-olds participating in the economy.
“Now, these are welcome steps, but the Government is absolutely determined to make sure that every young person has got a good and a buoyant and a bright future, able to participate in our economy.”