Political upheaval, job worries and low self-confidence have left young people anxious and daunted, suggests a survey carried out in November by YouGov for the Prince’s Trust.
Over half (58%) of 2,215 16- to 25-year-olds polled said political events had made them fear for their futures, with 41% more anxious than a year ago.
Young people’s self-confidence is at its lowest ebb in the eight years since the research began, says the charity.
According to the research:
- 50% felt it was harder to get a job than a year ago
- 42% felt traditional goals like home ownership or a steady job were unrealistic
- 34% felt they would have a worse standard of living than their parents
- 28% felt out of control of their lives.
Too many of the young people polled are demoralised and pessimistic, says the charity, with 18% believing they would be unable to change their circumstances and 16% saying their lives would amount to nothing, no matter how hard they tried.
The figures also showed the lowest levels of confidence and happiness among young people in the eight years that this research has been carried out:
- 12% said they did not know anyone who really cared about them
- 45% were stressed about body image
- 37% worried about coping at work or school.
Confidence levels were lowest among those who felt out of control, with almost two-thirds of this group blaming lack of self-confidence for holding them back. Read more
