Published by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency on Thursday, 24 April, the 2024 report on the situation of young people in the European Union paints a picture of young people who are very much engaged in democratic life—despite the fact that there is a growing number of economic and social constraints.
In this context, young citizens’ investment is a lever for action to strengthen European solidarity.
For example, in 2023, 70% of young people aged 15 to 24 reported that they regularly voted in elections, and 64% of them intended to participate in the 2024 European elections. Their trust in the European Union is also promising.
And for good reason: around 60% trust European institutions. In Denmark, Portugal, and Luxembourg, this rate even reaches 80%. Furthermore, 58% of young people have a positive view of the EU.
In addition, 33% of young people took part in organised activities such as sport or volunteer work. Volunteering attracts 17% of young people, particularly those who are 15–18 years old.
Nevertheless, while involvement in political or environmental organisations remains limited (around 10%), engagement via digital tools is increasing. In fact, one in four young people uses the internet to take civic or political action.
The European Union’s ‘Youth Strategy 2019–2027’ aims to support this dynamic by promoting access to volunteer work for young people, by officially recognising the skills they acquire while volunteering, and by ensuring that they are offered better quality activities that are adapted to digital tools.
The report also details “several interconnected aspects influencing the situation of young people in the European Union”.
These young people (15–29 years old) represented 16.2% of the European population in 2023—a proportion that is declining. On the labour market, 10% are unemployed, and more than one in 10 are neither holding a job nor in school or training. Of young people, 24% are at risk of poverty, and nearly half had experienced psychological problems during the [past] year.
Despite these problems, 16% studied or worked in another Member State, and 35% took action to combat climate change—an issue they consider to be a priority.
Read the report: https://aeur.eu/f/gil (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)