Alarming figures of "ni-nis" youth in Peru: challenges and solutions for labor market insertion

The latest reports from the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) have revealed encouraging data regarding production and employment in the country, with year-on-year growth exceeding 5% during the months of April and May. In Metropolitan Lima, there has been a 4.7% increase in job positions, indicating a slight improvement in adequate employment. These figures have generated moderate optimism after the downturn experienced last year, but unfortunately, this positive outlook does not reach all sectors of the population, particularly the youth. According to specialist Carolina Trivelli, young people are in a situation of job insecurity and discouragement, leading them to consider the possibility of emigrating in search of better opportunities. Within this group, there is a growing concern for the so-called "ninis", young people between 15 and 29 years old who neither study nor work. In 2023, 18.2% of young people in this age range were in this situation, representing an increase from 2019 and marking the highest level since 2006, excluding the impact of the pandemic. The regions with the highest proportion of ninis are Tumbes, Loreto, and Tacna, reflecting a worrying reality in which these young people do not generate income or accumulate human capital, hindering their ability to break the cycle of precariousness. Additionally, eight out of ten ninis do not actively seek employment, further aggravating their situation. It is important not to fall into stereotypes that consider these young people lazy, as they are a heterogeneous group with various structural problems that hinder their job placement. One aspect to consider is that two-thirds of ninis are women, many of whom are forced to drop out of school to dedicate themselves to domestic work, limiting their opportunities for access to the job market. It is also noteworthy that approximately one-third of ninis are in poverty, preventing them from continuing their academic education and hindering their employability in an increasingly precarious job market with stagnant incomes. To address the issue of ninis, it is essential to implement policies that promote the retention of young people in the education system, especially those in the 15 to 18 age range. Likewise, measures need to be taken to facilitate their job placement in a less precarious manner, taking into account the particular difficulties faced by female ninis. Offering flexible and diverse training, as well as encouraging daytime care, are some strategies that could help improve the situation of this vulnerable group. The current economic context and institutional conditions in the country are discouraging young people from building a future in Peru, representing a potential loss of talent and productivity for the nation. It is necessary to promote better conditions for Peruvian youth in general, without neglecting the specific attention and support required by ninis, a growing group facing complex yet urgent challenges. The inclusion of targeted and sustained policies over time could make a difference in the lives of these young people and in the overall development of the country.