Do we have a theology of unemployment?

Ben Chang  |  Comment
Date posted:  13 Jul 2026
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Do we have a theology of unemployment?

Photo by MART PRODUCTION via Pexels

Recently, the Government published a report into unemployment amongst young people in the UK. The stark headline figure was that 12.8% of 16- to 24-year-olds, or one in eight, are not in education, employment or training (or “NEET”). In 2021, the figure was 9.7%. This works out at just under one million unemployed young adults in the UK today.

This trend in unemployment amongst young people is a huge societal problem. On a national level, it means that the government is receiving fewer tax receipts and facing greater demands on the welfare state.

And for the individuals struggling to find work, unemployment can be devastating. It can shatter someone’s sense of self-worth and their hope for the future. It can lead to life-upending financial instability and put strain on personal relationships. And especially amongst young people, unemployment can become a vicious cycle where lack of work experience hinders their further job prospects.

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