Across Southeast Asia, millions of young people fall into a group researchers call "NEET," meaning they are neither working, studying, nor in training. Despite rapid growth in mobile internet access, high NEET rates persist across the region. This raises an important question: Is digital connectivity actually helping young people connect with economic opportunities?

This study examines data across 11 ASEAN countries over a decade (2014–2024) to analyze which aspects of mobile connectivity — infrastructure, affordability, digital skills, and available content — are most closely linked to youth NEET rates.

Key Findings:
 

• Affordability matters. The cost of mobile data and devices is strongly associated with youth NEET rates, particularly for young women. Having access to a network is not enough if young people cannot afford to use it.
• Digital skills help women enter the workforce. In countries where women have stronger foundational skills, female NEET rates tend to be lower.
• Owning a phone does not equal opportunity. Mobile phone ownership was actually associated with higher NEET rates among young men. A likely explanation is that phones are primarily used for entertainment rather than for productive purposes.
• Network coverage and connectivity speed showed no significant relationship with NEET rates. Infrastructure alone is not the answer.

The study concludes that governments and organizations need to move beyond building networks and focus on targeted interventions, like reducing costs, building skills, and developing locally relevant content, tailored where appropriate to gender-specific needs and local conditions.