A Crypto Token and a Youth Crisis Share a Surprising Name

NEET, a memecoin in the cryptocurrency market, has experienced a notable rise in value, surpassing its previous peak amid growing interest from investors. On Sept. 5, NEET surged by 33% in a single day, bucking the general trend of flat performance in the broader crypto market. This movement occurred in the context of mixed economic data from the U.S., including slower-than-expected job growth and a rising unemployment rate, which led to muted price action across major digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. While Bitcoin (BTC) stabilized around $110–111k—10% below its all-time high—NEET's performance caught the attention of market observers as it continued to gain traction among crypto enthusiasts.

The phenomenon of NEET also extends beyond the financial markets. In Bangladesh, the acronym NEET stands for "Not in Employment, Education, or Training," describing a population of youth who are neither working, studying, nor engaged in training. According to the 2022 Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Labour Force Survey, around 41% of Bangladeshi youth aged 15 to 29 are classified as NEET, totaling approximately 12.9 million individuals. Among these, 62% are female, highlighting a particular crisis in female labor force participation. The high NEET rate is attributed to a combination of factors, including early marriages, a mismatch between education and job market demands, and societal pressures favoring white-collar jobs over blue-collar or technical roles.

The consequences of a high NEET rate can be far-reaching. Economically, it represents a significant loss of potential human capital and productivity. Socially, it can lead to rising frustrations among youth and potentially contribute to crime, drug abuse, and anti-social behavior. Experts such as Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem of the Centre for Policy Dialogue have emphasized the missed opportunity for Bangladesh to leverage its demographic dividend—a large and young population that could have driven economic growth. Instead, a large portion of this group remains inactive, neither contributing to the economy nor actively seeking opportunities for advancement.

The root causes of the NEET crisis in Bangladesh point to a systemic issue in education and training systems. A significant portion of young graduates lack the skills required for current job markets, creating a paradox where job seekers feel there are no opportunities available and employers struggle to find appropriately trained candidates. This skills gap is compounded by a societal bias toward certain types of jobs, which discourages youth from pursuing roles in technical or informal sectors. Dr. Zahid Hussain, a former lead economist at the World Bank, highlighted how the rigid expectations around what constitutes a “good job” have shaped youth perceptions and contributed to their disengagement from the labor force.

In response to the issue, analysts and policymakers have called for a reimagining of education and training programs that align more closely with market needs. Tasmiah Rahman of BRAC emphasized that the informal sector in Bangladesh is vast and often unaccounted for in traditional labor statistics. She argued that many NEET individuals are already working in informal roles that are not captured in official data, suggesting that rethinking how labor participation is measured could yield more accurate insights into the true state of youth employment. Rahman also stressed the importance of addressing structural barriers, such as child marriage and gender inequality, which disproportionately impact female participation in the labor force.

As the NEET phenomenon continues to gain attention in both financial and socio-economic contexts, the dual narratives of crypto market speculation and youth inactivity present a unique juxtaposition. While the NEET memecoin reflects a growing trend in cryptocurrency markets, the broader NEET crisis in Bangladesh underscores a critical issue in global development. Both cases highlight the need for deeper systemic changes—whether in financial regulation, labor policy, or education—to address the underlying causes of inactivity and unlock the potential of the next generation.