Out now: Allianz Foundation Next Generations Study 2023

Climate crisis, war, inequality: Europe’s young adults are concerned about their future. This is revealed by the first Next Generations Engagement Study by the Allianz Foundation. However, almost half of those surveyed are prepared to become more engaged – most of all, for the climate. This is one of the findings produced by the Allianz Foundation’s first engagement study.

December 14, 2023

A person is sitting in a big white hall. She seems to wait for something.

Allianz Foundation Next Generations Studie 2023 "The Movers of Tomorrow?" © Guilherme Stecanella / Unsplash

The Movers of Tomorrow? Young adults in Europe have great concerns about the future 

 

Many young Europeans expect society to become more unfair, unsafe, and divided. Eight out of ten now question whether their generation should have kids. This is one of the findings produced by the Allianz Foundation’s first engagement study, which surveyed 10,000 young adults between the ages of 18 and 39 in Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom.

“Young people in Germany and Europe are in some kind of ‘waiting room for the future’.” This is the assessment of Esra Kücük, CEO of the Allianz Foundation. “At least two-thirds of those surveyed have already changed their everyday habits, for example by becoming more sustainable consumers. About half are ready to commit themselves even more to a fair and green future.” According to Kücük, this has huge potential. “But many are hesitant, often don’t know how to get involved. This is where policymakers and civil society are called upon to rebuild trust and create pathways into getting engaged.” 

Low levels of trust in established institutions

The young generation is uncertain who will lead society into a safe, fair, and climate-friendly future. They do not trust the current leaders in politics, business and civil society to make the necessary changes. In Germany, less than one-third of respondents believe that their country will have significantly more forward-looking policies in the next ten years than it has today.

Prof. Dr. Klaus Hurrelmann, youth researcher and member of the study advisory board, on the needs of generations Z and Y: “The Allianz Foundation study shows that a considerable proportion of the young generation would like to take active political action. But they find today's political structures outdated and do not feel addressed by them. Conventional offers such as party membership are only attractive to very few of them. They want to provide direct input and desire flexible and personal forms of engagement.”

Optimism regarding climate protection

Despite pronounced fears about the future, Generations Z and Y are optimistic about climate protection. Almost two-thirds of young Europeans are confident that the fight against climate change can be won. 70 percent said that society should be open to welcoming people fleeing countries severely affected by climate change - an opinion shared by 60 percent of politically conservative respondents, too. Contrary to popular belief, young adults do not blame the baby boomer generation for the climate crisis. Only 9 percent think the older generation should do more to combat climate change. More than 80 percent believe that energy-intensive industries should bear a greater share of the costs.

What is important for young adults in Europe 

As varied as the economic, political and social conditions are in Europe, young adults agree: Almost three-quarters of respondents consider a robust welfare state, stable prices and a strong social safety net to be the most important building blocks of a sustainable society. 52 percent believe that equal opportunities and climate and environmental protection are at least as important. Private assets and traditional values are less important to many: only around one third of young adults in Europe consider them to be very important – in Germany even just over one quarter.

Young people view themselves as part of the solution 

Most of all, they are motivated above all by climate change. 68 percent of those who are concerned about global warming have already become civically engaged in some way, for example by making donations or signing online petitions. However, the study also shows that many want change and are interested in getting involved, but significantly fewer actually take action: 56 percent support protests in the streets, but only just under a third have ever demonstrated. 

About the engagement study “The Movers of Tomorrow?”

The Allianz Foundation's first engagement study, entitled "The Movers of Tomorrow?", was conducted by the SINUS Institute in collaboration with the Allianz Foundation and is based on a representative survey of 10,000 young adults between the ages of 18 and 39 in Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom. 

Your contact for the study: Head of Research Dr. Simon Morris-Lange

You have questions about our research? Please contact Simon.

Dr. Simon Morris-Lange develops and leads the research and knowledge-sharing activities at Allianz Foundation. He oversees the Allianz Foundation Study series which investigates how young Europeans envision a future society and what they are willing to do – including the risks they are willing to take – to shape this future

simon.morris-lange@allianzfoundation.org

A picture of Simon Morris-Lange

Simon Morris-Lange © Marcel Wogram

Portrait of Prokop Bowtromiuk

Prokop Bowtromiuk © Marcel Wogram

Your press contact: Prokop Bowtromiuk

Prokop Bowtromiuk is in charge of the Allianz Foundation’s press work, online presence, and social media channels. He is also responsible for PR for the Allianz Foundation Fellowships as well as making sure that events and calls for proposals reach the public.

prokop.bowtromiuk@allianzfoundation.org