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Gen Z Earnings Outpace Millennials, Yet NEET Risk Grows

6/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Gen Z early-career wages now exceed Millennials’, with age-24 earnings about 12% higher.
Since 2012, the bottom 10% gained 36% wages while median hourly pay for 22-29-year-olds rose 15% versus 4% for 30-plus workers.
Researchers warn that, without urgent action, NEET numbers—about one million—could rise 25% as prices tied to the Middle East conflict may erode real-wage gains.

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Story summary

Gen Z early-career wages now exceed Millennials’, with age-24 earnings about 12% higher.
Since 2012, the bottom 10% gained 36% wages while median hourly pay for 22-29-year-olds rose 15% versus 4% for 30-plus workers.
Researchers warn that, without urgent action, NEET numbers—about one million—could rise 25% as prices tied to the Middle East conflict may erode real-wage gains.