In the UK, the classification is applied to people aged 16-24 (thus excluding the retired) and sometimes phrased as "respondents who were out of work or looking for a job, looking after children or family members, on unpaid holiday or traveling, sick or disabled, doing voluntary work or engaged in another unspecified activity"

On the other hand in Japan the NEET classification covers ages 15 and 34; and people who are engaged in housework or who are actively seeking work aren't considered NEETs.