People not in employment, education or training (Neets) in Malta has dropped form 10.9 per cent in 2006 to 9.8 per cent last year, the Education Ministry said.

Referring to figures published by Eurostat earlier today, it said, placed Malta with the sixth lowest percentage of Neets in the European Union.

The average rate of Neets has increased within the European Union - in light of the difficult economic environment across Europe in the last eight years - but Malta lowered its rate.

This had to be seen within the context that the youth unemployment rate in Malta is the lowest one in Europe. The figures showed that Malta's neighbours, primarily Italy, Greece and Spain, had the highest increases of Neets showing that Malta has managed to continue its path towards a higher rate of young people in education despite the economic upheaval in Europe.

The best performer in Europe on this front was Germany - down to 9.3 per cent in 2015 from the 15.2 per cent in 2006. Over the past 15 years Germany worked hard on offering vocational, technical and hands-on educational experiences at secondary level and beyond, and these have delivered excellent results.

Eurostat figures for Malta also show that the percentage of individuals exclusively in education has increased from 19.1 per cent to 24.5 per cent.

On the other hand, the figures of those exclusively in employment has decreased from 62.9 per cent in 2006 to 53.9 per cent in 2015. This means that more young people aged 20-24 are opting to continue their education (exclusively) rather than find a job.

The ministry said it was adamant that these improvements were crucial to keep making education relevant for young people by offering them different alternatives.

The ministry would continue working and proposing measures aimed at changing the one-size-fits-all model of the past into a wider and more stimulating educational experience.