Introduction

Youth unemployment and the growing number of young people classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) represent a major socio-economic challenge worldwide. In countries such as Morocco, this issue is particularly concerning due to persistent difficulties in the transition from education and training systems to the labour market. Although the employability of NEET youth has received increasing scholarly attention, the existing literature remains fragmented and unevenly distributed across research themes and geographical contexts. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of research trends and gaps is still lacking. This study, therefore, addresses the following research question: What are the main trends, thematic orientations, and geographical gaps in the scientific literature on NEET youth employability and vocational training?

Methods

To answer this question, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using data retrieved from the Scopus database. The search strategy combined the keywords “NEET”, “employability”, and “vocational training”. The dataset was analysed using the Bibliometrix package in R to explore publication trends, influential journals and authors, international collaboration networks, and thematic structures.

Results

The results reveal a significant increase in publications over the past decade, with research primarily conducted in European contexts. Thematic analysis highlights key research areas related to youth labour market integration, skills development, social inclusion, and employment policies.

Conclusion

The study identifies important thematic and geographical gaps, emphasising the need for further research in developing regions such as North Africa.