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In recent weeks, the European Commission presented the EU Youth Report 2024: a set of data that compose and outline an overview of the living conditions of young people within the member states of the European Union, also including the presentation of the progress achieved by the European institutions within the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027. In general terms, some positive data can be noted, such as the number of young people voting, but at the same time there are some numbers that cannot but make one reflect on the course that the European institutions will have to take in the coming years.
THE NUMBERS OF THE REPORT
The report recalls some of the data contained in the Eurobarometer survey to underline the European Commission’s commitment to ensuring that young people’s voices are central to the Union’s policies. In particular, the Eurobarometer survey speaks of a 61% of young people who say they are optimistic about the future of the European Union, as well as a 60% who say that the European institutions play a positive role in society. The survey also explores what young people consider to be the strengths of the EU. 32% stress the importance of freedom of movement between member states, with 39% associating it with the freedom to travel and get to know other places. 28% of the young people interviewed in the Eurobarometer survey put a lot of trust in the relationships and solidarity that can be ignited between member states in the event of need, while for 30% the possibility of accessing EU programmes and funding lines is crucial. These are concrete elements that young Europeans are looking towards, especially if we take into account another very interesting statistic: that of voters among young people. In fact, 70% of young people vote in the elections: an interesting figure, which is perhaps more related to national rather than European vicissitudes. In fact, it is undeniable that the turnout for the 2024 European elections has decreased compared to the 2019 election. This suggests that European policies aimed at young people should, first and foremost, keep them motivated and attentive to the dynamics of European politics as well.
THE MOST WORRYING DATA
The report also brings to our attention several elements that could make us rethink the impact that some European policies may have on the younger strata of our society. On the mental health front, the analysis reports that almost half of young people have experienced emotional or psychosocial problems in the last twelve months. Furthermore, although there was much improvement, even on the education front there are data that can make one reflect, such as the 30% of 15-year-olds having difficulties with basic mathematics, or the digital illiteracy of 28% of young people between 16 and 29. Then there are the unemployment figures that stand at 10%, with many of these young people classifiable as NEET (i.e. not studying and not working). Unemployment becomes an even more important element when looking at vulnerable groups or at the dynamics triggered by disability situations. Here, the obstacles to be overcome for young Europeans are much greater and about a quarter of them are at risk of poverty.
WHAT TO FOCUS ON
The focus on the implementation of youth policies can only start from the demands and needs of young people themselves. The willingness, already expressed by the Commission, to involve them is certainly something to be pursued. Especially if we look at the data, with 38 % of respondents looking at EU investments and wanting them to be pushed more towards affordable housing and cost of living support. Then we move on – as we scroll down the data – to education, training and skills (29%) and wellbeing and mental health (28%).