Disconnected Youth

What is it and why does it matter?

Disconnected youth is defined as the percentage of residents, age 16-19, who are neither working nor enrolled in school. Our youth is our region's budding labor force; ensuring that they are participating in school and/or working brightens their economic future and our region's prosperity.

Latest Southeast Michigan trend:

The disconnected youth rate fell from 4.8% in 2022 to 4.7% in 2023, which is an encouraging sign given the labor shortages in recent years, as well as, the importance of education for future workforce skills.