A 24-year-old from Essex, Rhys O'Flynn, has described the exhausting reality of applying for hundreds of jobs without receiving a single response, as the number of unemployed young people in the UK continues to surge. Having been made redundant at the age of 19, Rhys has struggled to secure permanent work ever since, leaving him trapped in what he calls a 'soul-destroying cycle'.
The Scale of the Problem
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), approximately 1.01 million young people aged 16 to 24 in England are now classified as NEET—not in education, employment, or training. This figure represents nearly one in seven young adults and is the highest since late 2013, when the number peaked at 1.04 million. The ONS also reports that a record number of these young adults are now considered 'economically inactive'.
Rhys, who has applied for roles ranging from warehouse work and cleaning to entry-level school positions, says the competition is fierce. 'Entry-level roles now routinely attract hundreds of applicants per vacancy,' he explained. 'In some sectors, young people are not just competing with each other but against AI automation.'
Personal Toll
The relentless job hunt has taken a significant toll on Rhys's mental health and social life. 'It really makes you feel like you are behind and you're not good enough,' he admitted. 'You just sit there overthinking why you haven't got a job, questioning why you're not good enough, especially around my age there are people out there living their lives, going on holidays, and it does really affect you.'
Rhys has been forced to rely on savings from his first teenage job just to stay afloat, while living at home with his family. He notes that the stigma surrounding unemployed young people, often labelled as 'lazy' or 'snowflakes', only adds to the pressure. 'I have changed my CV four times, and people will still call you lazy. It's not as if I'm not trying,' he said.
Government and Expert Concerns
Former health secretary Alan Milburn, who was commissioned by the government to investigate the NEET crisis, has warned of a 'whole system failure'. His report estimates that the crisis is costing the UK around £125 billion a year, factoring in lost taxes and higher health and welfare spending. Milburn also cautioned that the number of NEETs could rise to one in six by 2031, representing 1.25 million young people, and that Britain 'faces a generational fault line'.
Milburn defended Chancellor Rachel Reeves against criticism that the government's increase in national insurance was harming businesses, and insisted there is 'no evidence' of a link between migration and youth joblessness.
Rhys's Response
Despite the setbacks, Rhys has taken proactive steps to manage his mental health, including daily walks, runs, or gym sessions. He has also started sharing his job hunt on TikTok, where he has connected with thousands of others in similar situations. However, his transparency has also made him a target for online bullying.
'It's mind blowing to see how many people are in the same situation as me,' he said. 'I'm so disappointed I am still applying for jobs, so in my free time I am sharing videos about my situation to hopefully help others and make sure other people don't feel alone.'
Looking ahead, Rhys remains determined: 'I just need to keep going and keep hoping, but it's definitely not easy.'
