Young Europe 2025 - Youth Study

This is how people between 16 and 26 years of age think YOUNG EUROPE 2025 Youth Study from STIFTUNG Young Europe 2025 2 Young Europe 2025: About the study S. 3 1. How do young people perceive the EU? S. 5 2. The EU on the global political stage S. 30 3. Polarisation among young people in Europa S. 41 4. To what extent do young people support democracy? S. 58 5. How do young people feel in 2025? S. 67 Imprint S. 85 Youth Study from STIFTUNG Young Europe 2025: About the study 3 • TUI Stiftung has carried out the “Young Europe” study since 2017 to better understand the living environment, identity and political attitudes of young people across Europe. • Between 23/04/2025 and 19/05/2025, young people were surveyed in the following countries: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland and the United Kingdom. A total of 6.703 young people aged between 16 and 26 were surveyed online in 2025: • In previous years, 6.000 (2017), 6.080 (2018), 6.192 (2019), 6.011 (2020), 6.253 (2021), 6.228 ( 2022), 7.085 (2023), 5.874 (2024, without UK) young people from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Poland were surveyed. − Participants were recruited on a representative basis in each country based on age, gender and education, taking actual distribution within each country into account. − Results were also weighted based on age, gender and education for analysis in order to balance out minor deviations. Results shown across all countries were additionally weighted such that each country is given the same weighting. • This report presents results both for the individual countries and across all seven countries (“overall”). As the perspective of young people from the UK is fundamentally different to that of young people from EU member states for some questions relating to the EU, some questions were not asked in the UK and were only asked in EU member states.

n=1.050 n=1.013 n=1.050 n=1.000 n=1.069 n=1.005 n=512 Young Europe 2025: Who took part in the study? 4 Where were the participants in the study recruited? − All participants were recruited from YouGov’s in-house online panels. What is an online panel? − It is possible to register for a YouGov panel by entering an email address and additional personal data. These people are then regularly invited to online surveys via email. − In principle, anyone can register to become part of a YouGov panel. Panel members are the sampling frame for recruiting target groups and samples. − YouGov uses different channels to gain members for the panel (e.g. public relations, search engines, email campaigns, co-registration, word-of-mouth recommendations or similar). In addition, YouGov also targets people from under-represented population segments within the panel. − Panel members use email and double opt-in to identify themselves. Panel quality is also ensured based on technical measures and on response behaviour. How was the sample recruited? − Quota samples are recruited in this study. − People are recruited for the sample using a representative quota scheme. The quota scheme is prepared based on official statistics (basis for representative recruitment: EUROSTAT, https://ec.europa.eu/CensusHub2/). − Samples in each country are carried out representatively based on age, gender and education. − Participants are invited via email. A fully automated, randomised process (turbo-sampling) is used that takes individual participant behaviour into account when selecting participants. 5 How do young people perceive the EU? Desire and Reality in Europe 6 Young people think European Young people in Europe see themselves as Europeans: Just under three out of five young people (59%) describe themselves as at least partially European.

In some countries, the number of young people who describe themselves as European is even increasing – most notably in Germany (2025: 68%, 2024: 62%). In the United Kingdom, just under half (49%) describe themselves as at least partly European, approximately a third (35%) identify only with their own country. But the differences between the countries are significant: Young Italians, Spaniards and Germans identify most strongly with Europe. Young Poles (48%) and French people (30%) on the other hand often identify only with their own country. The number of young Poles and French people who define their identity exclusively in national terms, however, is decreasing compared to 2024 (Poland 2024: 55%, France 2024: 33%). The membership of their country in the EU is not up for debate for most young people: Two thirds (66%) rate EU membership positively. The number of young people who view the EU positively is particularly high in Germany (80%). Also, many Britons (73%) would support their country's EU membership. Overall, in all countries, more than half of those surveyed consider their country's membership to be a good thing. Compared to the previous year, the proportion of those who rate EU membership positively has significantly increased in all countries: In 2024, 56% rated EU membership positively. More Europe? Young people are in favour of stronger EU integration: 4 out of 10 young Europeans (42%) desire a closer connection between EU countries and more competencies for the EU. However: There are significant differences between them. While 53% each in Italy and Germany advocate for stronger EU integration, the approval in France (27%) and Poland (31%) is the lowest. And differences also show up in a comparison over time. In Germany, Spain, Italy, and Greece, the desire for stronger integration has declined in recent years.

This year, this trend is reversing, do young people in these countries again want more Europe? In France and Poland, however, the number of young people who want to maintain the status quo has significantly increased compared to the previous year. There is a large gap between desire and (expected) reality when it comes to the topic of EU integration: 42% of young Europeans desire stronger integration, but only 27% believe that it will actually happen in the next five years. Over the years, this gap has become increasingly larger (2024: 9% points, 2025: 15% points). What the European Union should do differently 7 More Europe? (cont.) This gap exists – again with the exception of France and Poland – in all countries. While in France desire and expectation coincide, in Poland the gap reverses: While every fifth person (20%) wants less integration, only 15% assume that the EU will actually return responsibilities to the member countries in the next five years. The British-European Spring 2 out of 5 young Europeans (47%) want closer relations between the EU and the United Kingdom. Especially in Germany (59%), Spain (46%) and Italy (45%), young people hold this opinion. Young French people are the most reserved (32%). The majority of young Britons want a closer relationship with the EU (75%). However: Even on the issue of the British-European relationship, young people are sceptical. Only 28% of young Europeans expect that the connections between the EU and the United Kingdom will become closer (gap: 19% points). In the United Kingdom, at least every second person (50%, gap: 25% points) expects that the British-European relationship will become closer. Immigration dominates the European agenda of young people. As in the previous year, the topic of "Migration and asylum" dominates the list of issues that young people consider important for the EU.

For 37%, this topic is one of the three most important issues, followed by "Economy and financial policy" (33%). More young people consider "Foreign policy and defence" important (28%, compared to the previous year: 22%). Among the top 4 topics is also "Environmental and climate protection" (28%). In the United Kingdom, young people most frequently mention "Economy" (46%) as a topic for British politics, followed by "Healthcare policy" (42%) and "Infrastructure" (33%). What the EU must do differently from the perspective of young people Europe and the world have been confronted with multiple crises in recent years: The COVID pandemic, the Russian war in Ukraine, the climate crisis and a changing global political order have also shaped the everyday lives of young people. How well or poorly has the EU performed in these situations from the perspective of young people? Around half (52%) are indifferent and believe that the EU has reacted partly correctly and partly incorrectly. 19% believe that the EU has responded correctly, almost as many (17%) believe that the EU has responded incorrectly. This image appears, albeit to varying degrees, in all countries. The European Union – well-intentioned, but poorly executed? 8 What the EU must do differently from the perspective of young people (cont.) It is noteworthy that in France (22%) and Poland (23%) the number of those who think that the EU has responded correctly is highest, although – or precisely because – young people in these countries are most critical of the EU. From the perspective of young Europeans, the EU should primarily ensure that "living costs and prices are affordable for everyone" (38%). Young Germans (36%), Britons (34%) and French (28%) also consider the focus on "climate protection" an important factor. In Greece (30%) and Poland (27%), respondents also want the EU to focus more on "economic growth".

In all countries, young people believe that "protection against external threats" (24%) should be a priority for the EU. For young people in Greece (23%), Germany (27%) and the United Kingdom (24%), the regulation of "immigration and asylum" is important. Only a few young people consider the global political stage to be important: Only 16% of respondents believe that the EU should play a larger role in the world order to address current crises. The EU has a democracy and information deficit to resolve: Nearly 4 out of 10 young Europeans (39%) believe that the EU is not particularly democratic. Many young people cannot accurately explain how the EU and its institutions work (46%). Around every second person (53%) believes that the EU is too preoccupied with trivial issues. And half of the young people (51%) believe that the EU is a good idea, but very poorly implemented. All this suggests that the EU should place more emphasis on a common "North Star" that determines the direction of the EU's development, or on a common narrative. Base: all respondents, n=6.703 9 In almost all countries, most young respondents feel at least partly European. How would you be most likely to describe yourself? 29% 22% 30% 16% 23% 30% 48% 35% 57% 65% 56% 65% 64% 59% 46% 46% 2% 3% 1% 3% 3% 1% 1% 3% 11% 10% 13% 17% 10% 11% 4% 16% Other Don’t know / no response Purely European identity „Only as a European” Hybrid identity „as a citizen of my country first, then as a European“ „as a European first, then as a citizen of my country“ Purely national identity „Only as a citizen of my country“ Total Base: all respondents, n=56.426 10 Young Germans often feel at least partly European, with purely national identification decreasing. This trend is reversed in Greece. How would you be most likely to describe yourself?

Total Germany France Spain Other Don’t know / no response Purely European identity „Only as a European” Hybrid identity „as a citizen of my country first, then as a European“ „as a European first, then as a citizen of my country“ Purely national identity „Only as a citizen of my country“ 29%29% 29% 25% 27% 25% 24% 34% 42% 57% 57% 55% 60% 54% 60% 62% 52% 45% 11% 11% 12% 12% 17% 12% 11% 10% 11% 22% 25% 28% 27% 25% 25% 21% 36% 37% 65% 58% 53% 55% 54% 56% 60% 48% 46% 10% 13% 14% 14% 17% 16% 14% 12% 14% 23% 20% 19% 22% 25% 22% 25% 38% 44% 64% 66% 68% 65% 58% 65% 63% 56% 48% 10% 11% 10%10% 14% 9% 9% 4% 6% 16% 16% 13% 10% 11% 13% 10% 21% 27% 65% 62% 65% 69% 61% 67% 69% 57% 51% 17% 19% 19% 18% 25% 17% 16% 19% 19% 48% 55% 45% 25% 25% 26% 29% 46% 45% 46% 37% 44% 62% 55% 67% 65% 49% 50% 4% 6%6% 11% 15% 4% 4% 3% 4% 30% 27% 25% 24% 21% 20% 16% 34% 37% 59% 64% 61% 66% 60% 67% 77% 53% 49% 11% 8% 9% 9% 17% 10% 6% 11% 11% 30% 33% 33% 28% 34% 31% 27% 25% 47% 56% 54% 54% 60% 50% 52% 57% 61% 42% 13%10%11%9% 15% 13%13%11%9% 2017201820192020 20212022202320242025 35% 40% 38% 45% 41% 41% 40% 55% 46% 42% 44% 37%45% 43% 43% 29% 16% 14% 14% 15% 12% 12% 13% 12% Italy Greece Poland UK 2017201820192020 20212022202320242025 2017201820192020 20212022202320242025 2017201820192020 20212022202320242025 Base: all respondents, n=12.577, Generally speaking, do you think that [COUNTRY]'s membership of the EU is...? (Question text in the UK: „In your opinion, would the UK's membership of the EU be, in general...? “) Don’t know / no response a good thing neither a good thing nor a bad thing a bad thing 11 20242025 Four out of five young Germans currently consider EU membership a good thing. Young people in the United Kingdom view the EU positively.

14% 15% 22% 24% 60% 53% 4% 8% 8% 12% 19% 20% 67% 61% 7% 7% 9% 10% 22% 25% 63% 58% 6%7% 9% 14% 30% 33% 55% 47% 6% 6% 9% 13% 26% 29% 61% 50% 4% 9% 7% 14% 73% 6% 20242025 20242025 2024202520242025 20242025 20242025 20242025 6% 10% 11% 16% 80% 65% 3% 9% Base: all respondents, n=5.653 12 Four out of ten young respondents wish for closer connections between the member countries. A quarter rate the existing relationship as just right. When you think about the relations between the EU and its member states: Which of the following statements do you most agree with? Total 42% 53% 27% 45% 53% 44% 31% 25% 24% 33% 21% 21% 18% 33% 16% 12% 20% 13% 11% 18% 20% 17% 10% 20% 20% 14% 21% 16% Don’t know / no response The connection between the EU countries should become less close, and the EU should return some of its responsibilities to the member states. The current relationship between the EU and its member states is just right. The connection between the EU countries should become closer, and member states should assign more responsibility to the EU. Not asked in the UK. Base: all respondents, n=5.653 13 Compared to the previous year, the desire for closer ties between EU countries is increasing, especially in Germany, Italy and Greece. When you think about the relations between the EU and its member states: Which of the following statements do you most agree with?

Italy Greece Poland 53% 39% 39% 41% 46% 54% 40% 24% 27% 27% 28% 23% 21% 23% 12% 13% 17% 12% 12% 14% 17% 10% 20% 17% 19% 19% 11% 19% 53% 47% 51% 48% 56% 54% 43% 21% 26% 22% 24% 16% 13% 19% 11% 11% 13% 13% 14% 21% 24% 14% 17% 14% 16% 13% 12% 14% 27% 37% 35% 31% 37% 41% 34% 33% 20% 16% 15% 10% 7% 12% 20% 20% 22% 25% 24% 26% 29% 20% 22% 27% 28% 29% 26% 26% 44% 38% 42% 38% 43% 38% 22% 18% 23% 18% 19% 17% 17% 12% 18% 17% 23% 23% 24% 38% 51% 21% 21% 17% 19% 16% 7% 14% 31% 31% 41% 43% 41% 42% 35% 33% 26% 28% 30% 32% 28% 27% 20% 22% 14% 12% 17% 25% 26% 16% 21% 17% 15% 9% 6% 12% Total Germany France Spain 45% 43% 48% 53% 51% 53% 49% 21% 21% 23% 22% 19% 19% 19% 13% 16% 14% 11% 16% 14% 18% 20% 19% 16% 14% 14% 14% 13% 42% 39% 43% 42% 46% 47% 37% 25% 24% 22% 23% 20% 17% 19% 16% 17% 17% 16% 18% 23% 28% 17% 20% 18% 19% 17% 13% 16% 20172019 20202022 2023 2024 202520172019 20202022 2023 2024 202520172019 20202022 2023 2024 202520172019 20202022 2023 2024 2025 Don’t know / no response The connection between the EU countries should become less close, and the EU should return some of its responsibilities to the member states. The current relationship between the EU and its member states is just right. The connection between the EU countries should become closer, and member states should assign more responsibility to the EU. Not asked in the UK. Base: all respondents, n=5.653 14 Although four out of ten Europeans want the EU to grow closer together, not even three out of five believe that this will happen. If you think about the EU in five years: What do you think the state of the EU will be in five years’ time? Total 27% 26% 26% 26% 28% 28% 29% 35% 34% 32% 35% 35% 34% 38% 20% 27% 21% 18% 17% 20% 15% 19% 13% 22% 21% 20% 18% 18% Don’t know / no response The connection between the EU countries will be less close, the EU will have returned some of its responsibilities to the member states.

The relationship between the EU and its member countries will not have changed compared to today. The connection between the EU countries will be closer, the member states will have transferred more responsibilities to the EU. Not asked in the UK. Base: all respondents, n=16.658 15 Compared to 2024, the number of young Europeans who believe that the EU will not grow closer together is increasing. If you think about the EU in five years: What do you think the state of the EU will be in five years’ time? Italy Greece Poland 26% 28% 21% 34% 32% 37% 27% 19% 31% 13% 21% 11% 28% 29% 19% 35% 32% 37% 17% 15% 30% 20% 24% 13% 26% 28% 19% 32% 32% 35% 21% 19% 20% 22% 21% 26% 28% 33% 38% 34% 30% 31% 20% 14% 25% 18% 23% 6% 29% 31% 19% 38% 26% 36% 15% 22% 37% 18% 20% 8% Total Germany France Spain 26% 30% 23% 35% 30% 39% 18% 22% 26% 21% 19% 12% 27% 30% 23% 35% 30% 36% 20% 19% 28% 19% 21% 13% 2019 20242025 2019 20242025 2019 20242025 2019 20242025 Don’t know / no response The connection between the EU countries will be less close, the EU will have returned some of its responsibilities to the member states. The relationship between the EU and its member countries will not have changed compared to today. The connection between the EU countries will be closer, the member states will have transferred more responsibilities to the EU. +5 years +5 years +5 years +5 years Left (Preference): When you think about the relations between the EU and its member states: Which of the following statements do you most agree with? Right (Expectation): If you think about the EU in five years: What do you think the state of the EU will be in five years’ time?

26% 53% 34% 24% 27% 12% 13% 10% Base: all respondents, n=5.653; Response option Expectation: "The connection between the EU countries will be closer [...]", "The relationship [...] will not have changed compared to today", "The connection between the EU countries will be less close [...]" 16 Gap between desire and expectation: High discrepancy between the desired and expected development of connections between the EU member countries. 28% 53% 35% 21% 17% 11% 20% 14% 26% 27% 32% 33% 21% 20% 22% 20% 28% 44% 34% 18% 20% 18% 18% 21% 29% 31% 38% 33% 15% 20% 18% 16% Total Germany France Spain 26% 45% 35% 21% 18% 13% 21% 20% 27% 42% 35% 25% 20% 16% 19% 17% Don’t know / no response Less close link The current relationship is just right / no change Closer link Preference Expectation Preference Expectation Italy Greece Poland Preference Expectation Preference Expectation Left (Preference): When you think about the relationship between the EU and the UK: Which of the following statements do you most agree with? Right (Expectation): When you think about the relationship between the EU and the UK in five years’ time: Do you think the relationship between the EU and the UK will be closer or less close in five years’ time – or will it remain unchanged? 32% 59% 37% 20% 14% 6% 17% 15% Responste option Expectation: „The relationship between the EU and the UK will be closer than it is today.“, „ The relationship [...] will remain unchanged“.“, „ The relationship […] will be less close than it is today.“ 17 Even in terms of the relations between the EU and the United Kingdom, the expectations of the young respondents deviate from their ideal conception.

22% 37% 31% 25% 19% 11% 28% 27% 20% 32% 36% 27% 21% 19% 24% 22% 24% 37% 40% 34% 15% 7% 21% 23% 50% 75% 22% 17% 13% 2% 15% 6% Total Germany France Spain 23% 46% 32% 17% 22% 13% 23% 24% Don’t know / no response Less close link The current relationship is just right / no change Closer link Italy Greece Poland UK 28% 47% 34% 24% 17% 9% 21% 20% 24% 45% 41% 28% 16% 7% 20% 20% Preference Expectation Preference Expectation Preference Expectation Preference Expectation 45 35 37 27 34 47 35 35 33 32 41 24 39 32 20 29 20 28 39 25 23 27 23 30 22 18 27 20 25 13 15 26 21 22 24 18 15 17 21 23 21 22 22 11 19 13 20 19 8 15 16 20 23 13 14 18 10 17 11 17 11 16 12 15 12 13 9 9 12 13 9 12 9 4 7 6 6 9 3 7 6 7 6 6 Migration and Asylum Economic and financial policy Environmental and climate protection Foreign policy and defence Social policy Crime and justice Health policy Infrastructure Fighting unemployment European policy Educational policy Gender equality Digitalisation Culture and leisure policy Base: all respondents, n=5.653, „Don’t know / no response“ not shown, Colour highlighting as on the following page, top 3 of each country are highlighted 18 What are the most important current political problems in the EU in your opinion? Please first select the single most important problem and then the second and third most important problem. The sum of the ranks of the most important, second and third most important problems is depicted. 37% 33% 28% 28% 21% 21% 20% 17% 16% 14% 13% 11% 7% 6% At EU level, migration is the most important issue, closely followed by economic policy. Also important are environmental issues, as well as foreign policy and defence. For the topics ‘Environmental and climate protection’, ‘Economic and financial policy’, ‘Migration and asylum’ and ‘Foreign policy and defence’, developments over time are shown on the next page.

The topics are distinguished by the colors displayed here. Not asked in the UK. Migration and Asylum Base: all respondents, n=38.083 19 What are the most important current political problems in the EU in your opinion? Please first select the single most important problem and then the second and third most important problem. The sum of the ranks of the most important, second and third most important problems is depicted. 39% 35% 35% 23% 45% 55% 39% 15% Environmental and climate protection Economic and financial policy Germany France Spain Economy and climate protection are again more important for young people in Germany and France in 2025. Not asked in the UK. Foreign policy and defence 32% 34% 35% 39% 35% 45% 25% 15% 20% 21% 33% 30% 37% 41% 23% 10% 2019 20252019 20252019 2025 Migration and Asylum Base: all respondents, n=38.083 20 What are the most important current political problems in the EU in your opinion? Please first select the single most important problem and then the second and third most important problem. The sum of the ranks of the most important, second and third most important problems is depicted. 29% 16% 32% 38% 27% 39% 49% 27% 11% Environmental and climate protection Economic and financial policy Italy Greece Poland In Italy and Greece, economic and financial policy for young people is the top issue for the EU. Not asked in the UK. Foreign policy and defence 20% 14% 41% 46% 34% 56% 23% 14% 28% 19% 24% 32% 47% 48% 30% 22% 2019 20252019 20252019 2025 Base: all respondents, n=1.050 21 What are the most important current political problems in the United Kingdom in your opinion? Pease first select the single most important problem and then the second and third most important problem. The sum of the ranks of the most important, second and third most important problems is depicted.

29% 46% 43% 42% 26% 33% 27% 29% Economic and financial policy Health policy Infrastructure Social policy Since Brexit in 2020, young Britons mainly name economic and financial policy as the most pressing issue in their country. 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Economic and financial policy Health policy Infrastructure Social policy Environmental and climate protection Migration and Asylum Crime and justice Fighting unemployment Foreign policy and defence Educational policy Gender equality European policy Culture and leisure policy Digitalisation 46% 42% 33% 29% 25% 25% 22% 17% 16% 11% 9% 6% 3% 3% 17% 14% 19% 14% 14% 21% 19% 19% 18% 22% 19% 17% 12% 23% 52% 61% 42% 54% 56% 54% 46% 12% 6% 17% 14% 12% 13% 12% Base: all respondents, n=5.653 22 Correctly Partly correctly, partly incorrectly Don’t know / no response Incorrectly Total In your opinion, has the EU overall responded to the challenges and crises of our time... Light and shadow: Young respondents largely believe that the EU has not unequivocally responded correctly to the challenges and crises of our time. Not asked in the UK.

47 20 30 34 24 14 20 17 16 16 18 8 33 37 39 35 41 33 30 25 22 16 21 34 23 16 21 22 30 27 36 28 20 23 17 15 27 19 20 20 23 20 18 21 20 14 18 17 7 16 21 21 20 16 23 15 17 15 16 16 21 17 14 14 15 18 18 17 14 17 11 17 13 16 14 16 12 12 17 8 9 9 9 15 Make living costs and prices affordable for all citizens The EU should better defend itself against external threats Create better conditions to enable economic and business growth Promote climate protection Do more in terms of immigration and asylum Ensure better education Create more jobs Guarantee democratic rules and principles in Europe The EU Member States should stick together more closely Play a greater role in world politics Ensure more equality and diversity Fewer rules and less bureaucracy Base: all respondents, n= 6.703, „Don’t know / no response“ and „Something else” not shown, Highlighting the top 3 per country in the table, details in per cent 23 And in your opinion, what issues should the EU prioritise in response to the challenges and crises of our time? Please choose up to three topics. Young people in the EU primarily see the EU as responsible for the issues of cost of living, defence, economy and climate. Total (ohne UK) 36% 25% 23% 23% 21% 18% 17% 17% 17% 15% 14% 11% All member states should have equal participation rights in the EU. The EU should also make decisions even if not all member countries agree – even if that means a decision can be made against the vote of [country]. All in all, the EU member countries agree on most issues. I can explain quite accurately how the EU and its institutions operate. Base: all respondents, n=5.653 24 More than two thirds of young Europeans believe that all member countries should have the same right to have a say. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Not asked in the UK.

Completely agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Completely disagree Don’t know / no response 31% 14% 10% 10% 37% 34% 35% 30% 15% 23% 29% 32% 5% 12% 6% 14% 12% 18% 20% 15% 25 Base: all respondents, n=5.653, „Neither agree nor disagree“ and „Don’t know / no response“ not shown *Item: "The EU should also make decisions even if not all member countries agree – even if this means that a decision can be made against the vote of [country]." Disagree Agree All member countries should have the same right to have a say in the EU. The EU should also make decisions, even if not all member countries agree.* All in all, the EU member countries agree on most issues. I can explain quite accurately how the EU and its institutions operate. Three out of five young Germans believe that the EU should make decisions even if not all member countries agree. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Ø: 39% 46% 41% 34% 34% 37% 43% Ø: 46% 47% 47% 48% 51% 45% 38% Ø: 45% 45% 40% 46% 38% 43% 58% Ø: 48% 61% 44% 49% 45% 50% 37% Ø: 69% 64% 69% 64% 71% 71% 73% Ø: 35% 38% 40% 30% 42% 35% 25% Ø: 35% 24% 38% 31% 40% 33% 43% Ø: 20% 27% 19% 19% 19% 19% 16% Not asked in the UK. The EU is too concerned with trivial matters instead of the really important things. The EU is a good concept, but it is very poorly implemented. The way the EU works is not particularly democratic. 19% 16% 12% 34% 35% 28% 24% 27% 29% 6% 6% 9% 17% 16% 22% Base: all respondents, n=6.703 26 Every second young European believes that the EU is a good idea, but can be optimised in its implementation. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Completely agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Completely disagree Don’t know / no response 27 Base: all respondents, n=6.703, „Neither agree nor disagree“ and „Don’t know / no response“ not shown Disagree Agree The EU is too concerned with trivial matters instead of the really important things. The EU is a good concept, but it is very poorly implemented. The way the EU works is not particularly democratic. 36 percent of Germans think that the EU is not particularly democratic - however, every second German respondent disagrees with this statement. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Ø: 51% 43% 53% 51% 50% 63% 49% 48% Ø: 33% 45% 32% 30% 35% 22% 30% 38% Ø: 53% 57% 60% 52% 44% 59% 57% 40% Ø: 30% 29% 22% 27% 39% 27% 23% 42% Ø: 39% 36% 43% 37% 33% 49% 42% 36% Ø: 39% 50% 34% 35% 45% 31% 33% 41% Base: all respondents, Right: n=5.653, Left: n=6.703 28 Lack of representation: In Germany, only one in five young people feel represented by the Bundestag, and even fewer, one in six, feel represented by the European Parliament. When you think about the European Parliament: To what extent do you feel that you and your interests are being represented? When you think about the Parliament of [country]: To what extent do you feel that you and your interests are being represented? Not at all + Less strong Fairly strong Very Strong + Strong Don’t know / no response Not at all + Less strong Fairly strong Very Strong + Strong Don’t know / no response 33% 32% 34% 27% 32% 40% 30% 33% 35% 29% 31% 36% 32% 36% 15% 15% 17% 16% 15% 13% 15% 19% 18% 21% 26% 16% 16% 19% Total 36% 32% 27% 30% 44% 41% 28% 47% 32% 37% 34% 28% 29% 30% 40% 27% 17% 21% 21% 18% 14% 14% 16% 16% 15% 10% 17% 24% 13% 15% 17% 10% Not asked in the UK.

European Parliament Base: all respondents, n=6.703 29 When you think about the European Parliament and the Parliament of [country]: To what extent do you feel that you and your interests are represented? Presentation of the response options "Strong" + "Very strong" 15% 17% 21% 17% 17% 26% 20252019 15% 19% 18% 21% 23% 24% 20252019 15% 17% 29% 14% 12% 35% 20252019 13% 15% 17% 14% 12% 21% 20252019 17% 16% 13% 21% 22% 21% 20252019 15% 19% 27% 16% 15% 35% 20252019 National Parliament Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland Total The number of young people who feel represented by the European Parliament continues to decrease compared to the previous year. 16% 18% 25% 18% 18% 29% 20252019 30 The EU on the global political stage The EU on the global political stage 31 How does the EU fit into the global political order? The USA dominates world politics – at least that is how young Europeans perceive it: 83% believe that the USA is one of the three most powerful countries. Approximately every second respondent believes that the USA is the most powerful country. Three quarters of young people (75%) name China as one of the three most powerful global political actors, more than half (57%) think the same of Russia. And what role does the EU play? Only two out of five young Europeans (42%) believe that the EU is one of the three most powerful global political players – usually in third place behind the USA and China. It is noteworthy that the internal and external perspectives differ: Most frequently, young Britons name the EU as one of the three most important actors in world politics (50%).

The EU has potential However, young Europeans see potential for the EU to take on a more important role: While a quarter (25%) are already convinced that the EU plays a role similar to that of the USA, China or Russia in the world today, half (51%) believe that the EU can participate in the concert of major global political actors if it changes fundamental things. Only one in ten is fundamentally sceptical and believes that the EU will never play a similarly large role. What should the EU change? Two things are central from the perspective of young people: (1) Economic success and (2) cohesion among the member countries. Approximately one third of young Europeans cite the creation of better conditions for economic growth (35%) and the improvement of cohesion between member countries (34%) as the most important aspect that the EU would need to change in order to play a larger role in the world. Around a quarter (28%) think that the EU should represent its own interests more confidently. Young people from the United Kingdom view the EU from the outside. They particularly often think that the EU should engage more strongly in international organisations such as the UN and should appear more assertively on the world political stage (33%). Total USA China Russland EU Indien 83 88 84 77 80 84 80 88 75 81 71 76 71 76 70 80 57 53 57 54 58 66 52 57 42 47 45 36 37 34 45 50 10 7 12 10 12 11 12 7 Base: all respondents, n=6.703, „Don’t know / no response“ not shown 32 Which of the following players do you think has the most power in the world at present? Please rank the players in descending order, starting with the player you currently ascribe the most power to in the world right at the top, followed by the player with the second most amount of power, and so on, right down to the player with the least power.

Not even every second young person sees the EU among the three most powerful global political actors. 51 58 51 39 52 50 48 58 20 21 18 30 17 20 15 19 9 6 10 7 7 10 12 8 8 6 9 6 7 8 10 7 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 1 Total Proportion of young people who see the following countries as the most powerful geopolitical players: Proportion of young people who see the following countries as one of the three most powerful geopolitical players: Base: all respondents, n=6.703, „Don’t know / no response“ and „India“ not shown 33 Which of the following players do you think has the most power in the world at present? Please rank the players in descending order, starting with the player you currently ascribe the most power to in the world right at the top, followed by the player with the second most amount of power, and so on, right down to the player with the least power. The USA, China and in some countries even Russia are gaining geopolitical relevance in the eyes of young people – the EU, on the other hand, is losing relevance. 88% 81% 81% 71% 53% 47% 47% 50% 20252024 Germany 84% 75% 71% 63% 57% 52% 45%49% 20252024 France 77% 79% 76% 75% 54% 48% 36% 45% 20252024 Spain 80% 81% 71% 74% 58% 54% 37% 40% 20252024 Italy 84% 80% 76% 71% 66% 67% 34% 36% 20252024 Greece 80% 70% 70% 62% 52% 40% 45% 46% 20252024 Poland USA China Russia EU Proportion of young people who see the following countries as one of the three most powerful geopolitical players: Base: all respondents, n=6.703 34 The majority of respondents see potential for the EU to take on a role as significant as the USA in the international framework, if it changes fundamental things. Which of the following statements regarding the EU’s role in the world do you most agree with?

Total 25% 22% 26% 25% 28% 29% 27% 17% 51% 53% 53% 48% 51% 47% 50% 53% 10% 13% 9% 7% 8% 7% 9% 17% 14% 12% 12% 20% 13% 17% 13% 13% Don’t know / no response The EU already has a role in the world as big as the US, China or Russia. The EU could have a role in the world as big as the US, China or Russia if it changes some fundamental things. The EU will never have a role in the world as big as the US, China or Russia. Create better conditions to enable economic and business growth The EU Member States should work together more closely Stärker die eigenen Interessen vertreten Promote democracy and the rule of law in the world Play a more active role in international organisations such as the UN Spend more money on the EU’s defence Spend more on development aid Fewer rules and less bureaucracy Work more closely with non-democratic countries Deploy its military forces outside the EU Something else 36 26 30 39 36 36 39 48 26 28 33 32 36 34 36 33 31 14 27 27 26 24 22 20 23 19 11 26 15 23 13 20 15 23 33 28 22 17 13 17 23 20 12 13 24 22 14 15 17 21 12 9 12 12 17 11 8 9 7 10 10 9 11 7 9 7 7 14 11 6 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 Base: all respondents (Total ohne UK), n=6.703, „Don’t know / no response“ not shown. 35 And what do you think the EU should do to play a greater role in the world? Please choose up to three topics. 35% 34% 28% 20% 20% 20% 17% 13% 9% 9% 3% The EU should strengthen the economy and businesses, as well as the cohesion of the member countries, in order to play a larger role in the international structure. I think [country] should push for a diplomatic solution in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. I am willing to accept economic sanctions against Russia, even if this may disadvantage [country] economically. I think [country] should stay completely out of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. I think [country] should support Ukraine with its own troops.

Base: all respondents, n=6.703. 36 Three out of five young Europeans believe that their country should insist on a diplomatic solution in Russia's war against Ukraine. To what extent, if at all, do you agree or disagree with the following statements with regard to Russia’s attack on Ukraine? Completely agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Completely disagree Don’t know / no response 26% 17% 18% 10% 34% 26% 24% 23% 14% 22% 27% 25% 8% 15% 17% 24% 18% 19% 14% 18% The EU is absolutely necessary in order to guarantee peace between the countries of Europe. There should be a joint army of EU member countries. [Country] should send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine when there is a ceasefire. The EU member states should pursue a common foreign policy even if that means that [country] would have to forfeit its own foreign policy positions. Base: all respondents, n=6.703. 37 More than two thirds of the young respondents believe that the EU is fundamental for a guarantee of peace between European states. Do you support or reject the following statements about the European Union (EU)? I totally support this I would tend to support this I would tend to reject this I totally reject this Don’t know / no response 27% 20% 15% 11% 40% 36% 31% 30% 12% 16% 18% 23% 5% 8% 13% 10% 15% 20% 23% 26% 71% 86% 86% 59% 79% 78% 77% 39% 55% 58% 60% 63% 55% 57% 66% 67% 58% 32% 47% 51% Base: all respondents, n=6.703; * Question was not asked in 2022; ** Question was not asked in 2020 and not in the UK. 38 The number of young people who are in favour of a joint European army is decreasing in all countries, except for in the UK and France. Do you support or reject the following statements about the European Union (EU)? Displayed is the sum of "I fully support" and "I mostly support".

68% 80% 77% 56% 67% 68% 63% 41% 52% 54% 65% 85% 82% 53% 71% 70% 68% 47% 48% 54% There should be a joint army of EU member countries. The EU is absolutely necessary in order to guarantee peace between the countries of Europe.* The EU member states should pursue a common foreign policy even if that means that [country] would have to forfeit its own foreign policy positions.** Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland Total 61% 79% 79% 48% 71% 75% 66% 34% 53% 46% 66% 80% 78% 60% 62% 65% 61% 36% 53% 57% UK 72% 87% 83% 58% 51% 49% 43% 2017 2020 2022 2025 2017 2020 2022 2025 2017 2020 2022 2025 2017 2020 2022 2025 2017 2020 2022 2025 77% 81% 79% 60% 68% 69% 66% 59% 55% 56% I totally approve this I would tend to approve this I tend to disapprove this I totally disapprove this Don‘t know / no response Total Germany UK France Spain Italy Greece Poland Base: all respondents, n=6.703 In France and Germany, most young people agree to mandatory national service, while in Poland and the United Kingdom, the approval is the lowest. Would you approve or disapprove of the introduction of a compulsory national service in [country]? By "compulsory national service" we mean that all citizens carry out military service or an alternative charitable activity. 39 In Greece, men between the ages of 18 and 45 are subject to compulsory military service. For this reason, a different question was asked in Greece: "Would you be in favour of or against the introduction of compulsory military service in Greece instead of the existing compulsory military service? By "general compulsory service" we mean that all citizens perform military service or an alternative community service.“ Due to the legal framework and the associated valuation basis, which differs from the other countries, the Greek results cannot be compared 1:1 with the results of the other countries.

10% 12% 8% 13% 10% 8% 11% 7% 26% 26% 22% 29% 23% 25% 35% 21% 25% 26% 27% 26% 22% 24% 19% 32% 28% 29% 35% 20% 35% 32% 16% 25% 12% 7% 9% 12% 10% 11% 18% 15% Italy Greece Poland UK Base: all respondents, n=20.016. 40 Approval for mandatory national service is highest in France, although lower than in previous years; endorsement in the UK is significantly increasing over time. Would you approve or disapprove of the introduction of a compulsory national service in [country]? By "compulsory national service" we mean that all citizens carry out military service or an alternative charitable activity. Total Germany France Spain Don’t know / no response Approval Disapproval 46% 41% 35% 42% 44% 50% 12% 14% 14% 55% 47% 50% 38% 42% 39% 7% 11% 11% 52% 52% 52% 36% 35% 35% 12% 13% 13% 57% 59% 65% 33% 31% 26% 10% 10% 8% 57% 61% 53% 28% 25% 31% 15% 13% 15% 35% 35% 35% 46%47% 50% 18% 18% 15% 56% 55% 56% 33% 34% 31% 11% 11% 13% 61% 66% 69% 29% 22% 18% 9% 12% 13% 2022 2023 2025 2022 2023 2025 2022 2023 2025 2022 2023 2025 41 Polarisation among young people in Europe 42 How divided – if at all – are young Europeans? What is affective polarisation? Affective polarisation describes a phenomenon in which emotions and feelings towards groups of people who share one's own political opinions or preferences are strongly positive, while feelings towards groups of people who represent opposing political opinions or preferences become strongly negative. Affective polarisation therefore describes that people develop a positive identification with their own group, while at the same time showing emotional distance or even rejection towards other groups. How did we measure affective polarisation? We asked young people about their views on the topics of immigration, climate protection, equality and redistribution.

Following each topic, we asked how young people feel about other people who, for example, (1) are in favour of limiting immigration and (2) are in favour of allowing more immigration. We have measured this perception on a feeling thermometer – a response scale on which respondents can grade their feeling from "-5 = very cold and negative" to "+5 = very warm and positive". What do the values mean? We then subtracted the feeling thermometer value for one group from the feeling thermometer value for the other group. We refer to this difference as a measure of polarisation. It shows how strongly one group perceives another group with a different opinion negatively. The polarisation measure can lie between the values "0" and "10". Because it describes the perception of a group with a different opinion, we always show values for groups that represent a certain opinion (e.g. "Young people who are in favour of limiting immigration" compared to "Young people who are in favour of allowing more immigration"). We have examined in the TUI Youth Study 2025 whether and in what way young people in Europe differ in their positions on the topics of "immigration", "climate protection", "equality" and "redistribution". In order to make a statement about how strongly young people oppose different positions, we have additionally measured affective polarisation. Is the youth moving to the right? 43 Young people are shifting to the right – or aren't they? At the latest since the European elections 2024 and the presidential election in the USA 2024, the public in Germany and other Western democracies has been discussing whether young people have shifted politically to the right. The results of these elections suggest such a finding.

Indeed, the number of young people who identify themselves as right of centre has increased since 2021: In Germany from 8% to 14%, in France from 15% to 21%, in Spain from 15% to 22%, in Greece from 14% to 20%, and in Poland from 16% to 21%. In Italy (from 16% to 18%) and the United Kingdom (from 14% to 17%), this trend is less pronounced than in other countries. During the same period, however, the number of young people identifying themselves as left of centre has also increased in Germany, France and Italy: in Germany from 32% to 43%, in France from 21% to 28%, and in Italy from 25% to 34%. In these three countries, therefore, the group of young people is more strongly divided in terms of world view. In Spain (from 39% to 31%) and the United Kingdom (from 43% to 38%), the number of young people who identify themselves as left of centre is decreasing, while in Poland (from 29% to 28%) and Greece (from 19% to 21%), it remains largely unchanged. Young people in these societies have indeed shifted ideologically to the right over the past 4 years. However: With the exception of Greece, in these countries too, more young people identify themselves as left rather than right of centre. Men to the right, women to the left? Young women in Germany, France and Italy are more progressive today than they were four years ago. The number of young women who identify themselves as left of centre is significantly increasing in these countries. In Spain and the United Kingdom, more young women are positioning themselves in the middle today. In Poland and, to a lesser extent, in Greece, young men are becoming more conservative. The number of young men who identify themselves as right of centre is increasing significantly, especially in Poland. It is noteworthy that the political orientation of young women in Poland has hardly changed at all compared to 2021.

Are "right" and "left" still the correct categories? In an era when party systems are becoming increasingly pluralistic and citizens appear to be more flexible in choosing their political views, the question arises whether "right" and "left" are still categories that young people can relate to. In Germany, most young people can classify themselves on a scale from left to right (93%). In Greece (77%), France (81%) or Italy (81%), this is more difficult for young people – a sign that the mere distinction between "left" and "right" does not reflect the political-psychological reality of young people everywhere. Immigration & climate protection 44 Societal conflict lines among young people In the federal election of 2025, 21% of voters under 25 voted for the AfD. 1 In the US presidential election, among others, young men voted for Donald Trump more than average. 2 Is there a movement towards right-wing populist themes and beliefs among young people? In the TUI Youth Study, attitudes towards the topics of immigration, climate protection, equality and redistribution have been measured repeatedly in recent years. Therefore, the TUI Youth Study can show whether and how the political positions of young people have changed over the past few years. Immigration For young people from EU member states, "Migration and Asylum" has been one of the two most important EU topics since at least 2024. And compared to 2022, their opinion has also changed: They have become more sceptical. In Germany, the proportion of young people who want to further limit immigration has risen from 24% to 37%. In Poland (from 20% to 51%) and Spain (from 21% to 44%), even more young people have become sceptical towards immigration. In all countries except the United Kingdom, by 2025 the majority of young people are in favour of limiting rather than expanding immigration.

The immigration issue is primarily a divisive topic for young Europeans who politically align themselves to the right of centre. In Germany, France, Spain, Greece and Poland, the number of young people who align themselves to the right and are simultaneously highly polarised is high. In Poland, 47% of young people who identify as right wing, are opposed to those with differing views on this issue. Only in Italy do left- and right-oriented young people not differ in the degree of their polarisation. Climate protection The importance of the topic "Environmental and climate protection" has steadily decreased for young people in EU member countries since 2020. Still, more young people prioritise climate protection over economic growth (32%) than vice versa (23%). Compared to 2021, the number of climate protection advocates has decreased in all countries except Greece. In Germany, by 2025 approximately twice as many young people are sceptical about prioritising climate protection as in 2021 (13% vs. 25%). In the same period, the proportion of climate protection supporters has decreased from 47% to 39%. 1 https://www.tagesschau.de/wahl/archiv/2025-02-23-BT-DE/umfrage-alter.shtml 2 https://www.dw.com/de/us-wahl-2024-wer-hat-donald-trump-gew%C3%A4hlt-alter-geschlecht-latinos-schwarze/a-70715875 Equality & redistribution 45 Climate protection (cont.) Climate protection is primarily an emotive issue for progressively thinking young people. In France, Spain, Italy, Greece and the United Kingdom, left-wing young people are more hostile towards those with different opinions than right-wing young people. In Germany, young people are equally polarised to the left and right of the centre. In Poland, on the other hand, the issue polarises more to the right of centre than to the left of centre.

Equality Equality is named as a relevant issue for the EU by approximately one in ten young Europeans. Even if they prioritise other topics on their agenda, equality is the issue that emotionally moves young people the most. Around 4 out of 10 young people (38%) believe that government equality measures do not go far enough. These are approximately the same number as in the year 2024 (36%). In Germany (from 34% to 44%), Poland (from 30% to 37%) and Greece (from 37% to 41%), more young people believe that equality has not yet gone far enough. In Italy (from 45% to 41%) and Spain (from 30% to 28%), the same or fewer young people held this opinion as in 2024. Except in Spain, where supporters and opponents of equality measures are balanced, in all other countries more young people are in favour of more equality measures. Equality is the issue that particularly emotionalises and polarises young Europeans to the left of centre. Among young people from Germany, France, Italy, Greece and the United Kingdom, the number of those who are strongly opposed to people who are against equality is high. In Poland, young people who align themselves politically to the right are more polarised than in other countries. Welfare state Around four out of ten young people (38%) are of the opinion that the EU should take care of making the cost of living affordable. Nevertheless, young people are ambivalent in their attitude towards welfare state measures. Approximately the same number of young people are in favour of more welfare state (24%) as are in favour of less welfare state (27%). In Germany, 28% are in favour of more social welfare and 26% are in favour of less social welfare. Compared to 2024, the overall picture in Germany has changed only slightly (more welfare state: 23%, less welfare state: 27%).

In Poland, Greece, Italy, and France, more young people are in favour of less welfare state than more welfare state. On the topic of the welfare state, young people in Europe are least strongly polarised compared to the three other topics. Base: all respondents, 2025: n=6.703, 2021: n=6.253; „Don’t know / no response“ not shown 46 Compared to 2021, more young people describe themselves as right wing. In Germany, however, the proportion of young people who identify themselves to the left of centre is particularly increasing. In politics, there is often talk of “left” and “right”. Where would you place yourself politically? 6% 2% 5%7%7%16%10%11%9%4%8% Left Right 32% 30% 33% 36% 19% 14% 20252021 Right: 19%). Middle: 33%). Left: 32%). Development of the proportion of young people who rate themsekves as Left or Right: Total 43% 32% 36% 46% 14% 8% 20252021 Germany 43%).36%).14%). France Spain Italy Greece Poland UK 28% 21% 31% 31% 21% 15% 20252021 31% 39% 31% 34% 22% 15% 20252021 28%).31%).21%). 31%). 31%). 22%). 34% 25% 29% 30% 18% 16% 20252021 34%).29%).18%). 21% 19% 36% 42% 20% 14% 20252021 28% 29% 37% 38% 21% 16% 20252021 21%). 36%).20%). 28%). 37%). 21%). 38% 43% 32% 28% 17% 14% 20252021 38%). 32%). 17%). Young people who rate themselves as left Young people who rate themselves in the middle Young people who rate themselves as right 38% 30% 39% 50% 19% 12% 20252021 48% 34% 33% 42% 8% 4% 20252021 Base: all respondents, 2025: n=6.703, 2021: n=6.253 47 Young women in Germany, France and Italy today often align themselves more to the left, young men in Poland and Greece more to the right than four years ago. In politics, there is often talk of “left” and “right”. Where would you place yourself politically?

Germany Young people who rate themselves as left Young people who rate themselves as right Men Women France Spain Italy Greece Poland Men Women Men Women Men Women 42% 29% 27% 24% 9% 13% 20252021 Men Women Men Women UK 32% 37% 35% 36% 23% 20% 20252021 Men Women 44% 49% 28% 21% 12% 8% 20252021 24% 19% 33% 32% 28% 20% 20252021 32% 22% 30% 29% 15% 11% 20252021 25% 32% 33% 38% 26% 20% 20252021 37% 45% 28% 30% 17% 10% 20252021 27% 22% 32% 35% 26% 19% 20252021 19% 22% 41% 43% 32% 22% 20252021 20% 21% 36% 43% 27% 18% 20252021 23% 17% 36% 42% 13% 11% 20252021 38% 37% 33% 33% 10% 10% 20252021 Migration and Asylum Base: all respondents, n=38.083 48 What are the most important current political problems in the EU in your opinion? Please first select the single most important problem and then the second and third most important problem. The sum of the ranks of the most important, second and third most important problems is depicted. Environmental and climate protection Social policy Migration and asylum are seen by young people in all countries as being at the top of the EU's agenda. Equality and social policy are secondary issues for the EU. Gender equality 39% 35% 22% 25% 45% 55% 9% 9% 20252019 Germany 32% 34% 18% 20% 35% 45% 9% 14% 20252019 France 20% 21% 27% 25% 37% 41% 12% 31% 20252019 Spain 29% 16% 20% 17% 27% 49% 13% 11% 20252019 Italy 20% 14% 25% 19% 34% 56% 9% 11% 20252019 Greece 28% 19% 13% 16% 47% 48% 12% 9% 20252019 Poland 38% 26% 33% 33% 21% 30% 20252021 19% 3% 7%9%9%16%8%8%5% 2% 7% 49 Young people have become more sceptical about immigration. In Germany, more than a third are sceptical, a quarter are open to immigration. In your opinion, should [country] enable more immigration or restrict immigration more heavily? Enable more immigration Restrict immigration more heavily Open: 21%). Undecided: 33%). Sceptical: 38%).

Development of the proportion of immigration-sceptical and immigration-open young people in Europe: Total Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland UK 37% 25% 33% 35% 25% 31% 20252021 25% ). 33% ). 37% ). 33% 31% 33% 30% 25% 23% 20252021 25%) . 33%) . 33%) . 44% 22% 31% 38% 17% 31% 20252021 17% ). 31% ). 44% ). 31% 22% 37% 34% 24% 33% 20252021 24% ). 37% ). 31% ). 44% 41% 31% 32% 14% 17% 20252021 14%) . 31%) . 44%) . 51% 23% 30% 33% 12% 31% 20252021 12% ). 30%) . 51%) . 26% 18% 36% 30% 32% 44% 20252021 32% ). 36% ). 26% ). Young people who are sceptical about immigration Young people who are undecided Base: all respondents, 2025: n=6.703, 2022: n=6.228, 2021: n=6.253: Don’t know / no response not shown Young people who are open to immigration 32% 44% 37% 34% 23% 14% 20252021 Base: all respondents, 2025: n=6.703, 2024: 5.874, 2022: 6.228, 2021: 6.253; Don’t know / no response not shown 50 Young people continue to prioritise climate protection over growth, but, compared to 2021, fewer young people prioritise climate protection. Some think that fighting climate change should definitely take priority even if this damages economic growth. Others think that economic growth should definitely take priority even if this makes fighting climate change more difficult. What is your opinion on this topic? 12% 4% 7% 10% 11% 18% 9% 8% 5% 2% 9% Prioritising climate protection Prioritising Economy Prioritising climate protection 32% Undecided: 37%). Prioritising Economy: 23%). Development the proportion of young people who prioritise climate protection and growing the economy: Total Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland UK 39% 47% 31% 32% 25% 13% 20252021 39% ). 31% ). 25% ). 33% 44% 39% 31% 19% 12% 20252021 33% ). 39% ). 19% ). 28% 41% 39% 37% 25% 16% 20252021 28%) . 39%) . 25%) . 37% 48% 38% 33% 19% 11% 20252021 37% ). 38% ). 19% ). 33% 32% 39% 44% 20% 17% 20252021 33% ). 39% ).

20% ). 25% 37% 38% 36% 29% 16% 20252021 25% ). 38% ). 29% ). 33% 55% 37% 26% 25% 13% 20252021 33% ). 37% ). 25% ). Young people who prioritise economy Young people who are undecided Young people who prioritise climate protection Base: all respondents, n=6.703; Don’t know / no response not shown 51 Young people in Europe would like the state to do more for equality. Above all, in Germany and Poland, more equality measures are approved. We would now like to know what you think about government measures to promote equality for women in society. Some people think that government equality measures don’t go nearly far enough, others think that they are already going much too far. What is your opinion on this topic? 15% 4% 8% 11% 9% 16% 9% 8% 4% 2% 6% Gender equality measures still do not go far enough Gender equality measures already go too far already Don‘t go far enough: 38%). Undecided: 34%). Go too far already: 20%). Total Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland UK 38%36% 34% 34% 20% 21% 20252024 44% 34% 33% 34% 17% 21% 20252024 44% ). 33% ). 17% ). 42% ). 30% ). 20% ). 42% 41% 30% 32% 20% 18% 20252024 28% ). 37% ). 26% ). 28% 30% 37% 37% 26% 24% 20252024 41% ). 33% ). 16% ). 41% 45% 33% 33% 16% 14% 20252024 41% ). 34% ). 17% ). 41% 37% 34% 35% 17% 20% 20252024 37% ). 32% ). 25% ). 37% 30% 32% 34% 25% 27% 20252024 35% ). 38% ). 18% ). In 2024, the study was not conducted in the UK. Young people who think equality measures already go too far Young people who are undecided Young people who think equality measures don‘t go far enough Development of the proportion of young people for whom equality measures still do not go far enough and already go far too far: 27% 28% 24% 21% 20252024 Base: all respondents, 2025: n=6.703, 2024: n=5.874; Don’t know / no response not shown 52 In Germany, young people who are for and against a larger welfare state are evenly balanced.

Some want lower taxes and deductions, even if that means fewer social welfare benefits. Others want more social welfare benefits – even if that means higher taxes and deductions. What is your opinion on this topic? 11% 2% 4%9%10%20%10%8%6% 2% 8% Mehr sozialstaatliche Leistungen, auch wenn das mehr Steuern und Abgaben bedeutet Weniger Steuern und Abgaben, auch wenn das weniger sozialstaatliche Leistungen bedeutet More taxes / welfare state 24% Indifferent: 40% Less taxes / welfare state 27% Entwicklung der Anteile junger Menschen, die mehr sozialstaatliche Leistungen/Steuern befürworten und die weniger Steuern/sozialstaatliche Leistungen befürworten: Total Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland Großbritannien 2024 wurde die Studie nicht in Groß- britannien durchgeführt. 26% 27% 38% 39% 28% 23% 20252024 28% ). 38% ). 26% ). 20% ). 42% ). 27% ). 27% 30% 42% 40% 20% 20% 20252024 28% ). 42% ). 19% ). 19% 22% 42% 42% 28% 27% 20252024 23% ). 38% ). 28% ). 28% 27% 38% 42% 23% 20% 20252024 16% ). 44% ). 30% ). 30% 24% 44% 45% 16% 19% 20252024 36% 39% 38% 32% 17% 18% 20252024 37% ). 35% ). 20% ). Young people who are for more taxes/social welfare benefits Young people who are undecided Junge Young people who are for fewer taxes/social welfare benefits , 17% ). 38% ). 36% ). Base: all respondents, n=6.703 53 In terms of climate protection and equality, predominantly left-leaning young people are strongly polarised, while young people who are right-leaning are polarised on the issue of immigration.

Affective polarisation by topic 30% 44% 27% 16% 18% 12% 18% 15% 12% 14% 9% 12% 16% 10% 32% Links Mitte Rechts Polarisation weak stark Polarisation on the topic of immigration by political orientation: Polarisation on the topic of climate protection by political orientation: Polarisation on the topic of equality by political orientation: Polarisation on the subject of the welfare state by political orientation: Barely Polarised Polarisationscore: 0-2 A little polarised Polarisationscore: 3-4 Quite polarised Polarisationscore: 5-6 Strongly polarised Polarisationscore: 7-8 Maximally polarisiert Polarisationscore: 9-10 28% 48% 42% 15% 20% 17% 18% 14% 15% 17% 7% 10% 17% 7% 11% Links Mitte Rechts 21% 45% 41% 11% 16% 15% 15% 15% 15% 19% 9% 8% 29% 9% 13% Links Mitte Rechts 34% 50% 41% 17% 19% 16% 17% 13% 14% 12% 7% 9% 11% 5% 12% Links Mitte Rechts Base: all respondents, n=6.703 54 In Germany, France, Greece, and Poland, the number of young people who identify themselves to the right of centre and are strongly polarised on the issue of "Immigration" is high.

Affective polarisation on the topic of immigration Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland UK Polarisation weak stark Polarisation weak stark 29% 48% 24% 15% 19% 13% 18% 13% 14% 16% 8% 10% 17% 7% 36% Left Middle Right 27% 45% 28% 15% 21% 10% 17% 15% 13% 14% 9% 11% 23% 5% 35% Left Middle Right 36% 47% 20% 17% 16% 16% 17% 16% 14% 12% 8% 15% 11% 9% 29% Left Middle Right 35% 45% 26% 19% 14% 11% 16% 14% 13% 12% 8% 13% 12% 17% 32% Left Middle Right 30% 41% 32% 16% 18% 14% 17% 19% 16% 15% 13% 17% 16% 7% 19% Left Middle Right 34% 33% 24% 17% 19% 11% 17% 16% 8% 8% 8% 7% 13% 17% 47% Left Middle Right 22% 48% 40% 14% 18% 12% 20% 14% 9% 20% 8% 14% 19% 8% 24% Left Middle Right Barely Polarised Polarisationscore: 0-2 A little polarised Polarisationscore: 3-4 Quite polarised Polarisationscore: 5-6 Strongly polarised Polarisationscore: 7-8 Maximally polarised Polarisationscore: 9-10 Base: all respondents, n=6.703 55 Young people to the left of centre are more polarised on the issue of "Climate protection" than young people to the right of centre – except in Poland.

Affective polarisation on the topic of climate protection Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland UK Polarisation weak stark Polarisation weak stark 22% 51% 34% 16% 19% 19% 19% 11% 12% 21% 6% 13% 17% 6% 18% Left Middle Right 29% 50% 49% 9% 19% 18% 14% 15% 14% 21% 7% 8% 20% 5% 6% Left Middle Right 30% 47% 38% 13% 22% 19% 23% 13% 20% 15% 9% 9% 17% 5% 6% Left Middle Right 32% 52% 50% 17% 20% 14% 17% 14% 14% 14% 5% 8% 13% 4% 8% Left Middle Right 26% 46% 41% 20% 22% 19% 19% 15% 16% 14% 9% 13% 17% 6% 6% Left Middle Right 35% 40% 24% 16% 18% 17% 18% 20% 15% 13% 7% 15% 12% 10% 26% Left Middle Right 28% 49% 57% 12% 19% 12% 21% 12% 13% 16% 8% 9% 19% 8% 7% Left Middle Right Barely Polarised Polarisationscore: 0-2 A little polarised Polarisationscore: 3-4 Quite polarised Polarisationscore: 5-6 Strongly polarised Polarisationscore: 7-8 Maximally polarised Polarisationscore: 9-10 Base: all respondents, n=6.703 56 On the topic of "Equality", it is primarily young people to the left of centre who strongly reject people of opposing views.

Affective polarisation on the topic of equality Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland UK Polarisation weak stark Polarisation weak stark 17% 45% 44% 12% 16% 13% 15% 15% 16% 21% 7% 8% 30% 7% 15% Left Middle Right 20% 43% 41% 8% 15% 18% 13% 16% 16% 19% 11% 6% 32% 9% 12% Left Middle Right 16% 37% 37% 9% 16% 18% 15% 19% 12% 25% 10% 6% 33% 10% 11% Left Middle Right 25% 52% 45% 11% 15% 10% 17% 12% 11% 19% 10% 13% 22% 7% 15% Left Middle Right 27% 45% 44% 12% 19% 15% 10% 15% 19% 16% 9% 8% 30% 9% 7% Left Middle Right 22% 43% 31% 18% 17% 12% 13% 15% 15% 17% 9% 10% 26% 12% 23% Left Middle Right 18% 52% 50% 9% 18% 18% 19% 12% 13% 20% 8% 7% 28% 5% 9% Left Middle Right Barely Polarised Polarisationscore: 0-2 A little polarised Polarisationscore: 3-4 Quite polarised Polarisationscore: 5-6 Strongly polarised Polarisationscore: 7-8 Maximally polarised Polarisationscore: 9-10 Base: all respondents, n=6.703 57 On the topic of "welfare state", young people in all countries are the least polarised.

Affective polarisation on the topic of welfare state Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland UK Polarisation weak stark Polarisation weak stark 34% 54% 36% 17% 18% 19% 18% 9% 12% 12% 5% 12% 12% 5% 17% Left Middle Right 37% 53% 44% 13% 22% 17% 14% 12% 14% 14% 5% 7% 9% 0% 11% Left Middle Right 43% 57% 41% 20% 15% 11% 13% 12% 20% 10% 8% 14% 3% 3% 4% Left Middle Right 36% 51% 38% 15% 19% 14% 15% 13% 12% 12% 7% 11% 11% 5% 13% Left Middle Right 37% 48% 44% 19% 23% 18% 13% 14% 18% 12% 6% 7% 8% 5% 4% Left Middle Right 34% 41% 34% 20% 17% 13% 16% 15% 14% 11% 11% 7% 9% 8% 26% Left Middle Right 24% 50% 49% 13% 19% 22% 25% 15% 10% 14% 5% 7% 19% 5% 9% Left Middle Right Barely Polarised Polarisationscore: 0-2 A little polarised Polarisationscore: 3-4 Quite polarised Polarisationscore: 5-6 Strongly polarised Polarisationscore: 7-8 Maximally polarised Polarisationscore: 9-10 58 To what extent do young people support democracy? How fragile is the fundamental democratic consensus among young people? 59 Young people are not satisfied with THIS democracy. Many young people in Europe are not satisfied with the democracy as it is lived in their country. In France (26%), Spain (21%), Italy (17%), Greece (12%) and Poland (23%), only very few young people are satisfied with the current democratic system. Only in Germany (45%) and the United Kingdom (37%) is the number of satisfied young people higher. This image has been somewhat constant since 2019. Only between 2022 and 2023 was the dissatisfaction even greater as a result of the pandemic. This finding becomes even clearer when young people assess how well or poorly democracy works as a political system. In no country do more than 1 in 10 young people say that the political system works perfectly well (across all countries: 6%). In total, 39% say that the political system works, but needs to be adjusted.

One third (33%) of the respondents believe that the political system needs to be adjusted in many aspects, and another sixth (14%) even think that it needs to be completely changed. To what extent do young people support democracy? More than half (57%) unequivocally prefer democracy to other forms of government. In Germany, the number of these young people is the highest (71%), in Poland (48%), Spain (51%) and France (52%) the lowest. Around one fifth (21%) are open to other forms of government under certain circumstances. In Germany, the number of such young people is the lowest (15%), in France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Poland, it is more than 20% of the young people who think this way. And: there is just under a tenth (8%) who do not care whether the form of government is democratic or not. There are just as many such young people in Poland (11%) as in the United Kingdom (10%). The number of young people firmly committed to democracy in the year 2025 is therefore not so large, especially in Poland, Spain and France. In Germany, most young people still adhere to democracy. Young people perceive this fragility even in the societies in which they live. Six out of ten young people (61%) in Germany see democracy at risk – this is 1 more than in the year 2024 (plus 13 percentage points). In Greece, 62% see democracy at risk, in France 52% and in the United Kingdom 47%. Total 0 26% 45% 26% 21% 17% 12% 23% 37% 0% Base: all respondents, n=6.703 And how satisfied or dissatisfied are you, all in all, with democracy as it exists in [country]? 37% 27% 36% 35% 43% 65% 30% 26% 29%). 25%). 29%). 32%). 32%). 17%). 40%). 30%). 7%). 3%). 10%). 12%). 9%). 6%). 7%). 7%). Young Germans are largely satisfied with democracy. Nearly two thirds of young Greeks are dissatisfied with the democracy in their country.

(Fairly) satisfied A bit of both Don’t know / no response (Fairly) dissatisfied 60 Italy Greece Poland UK Base: all respondents, n=31.865; 2024 not asked in the UK And how satisfied or dissatisfied are you, all in all, with democracy as it exists in [country]? Total Germany France Spain 37% 39% 49% 41% 35% 29% 31% 28% 32% 35% 26% 23% 18% 22% 24% 7% 7% 6% 5% 6% 35% 35% 39% 42% 38% 32% 36% 35% 37% 36% 21% 20% 19% 15% 19% 12% 9% 7% 7% 8% Don’t know / no response (Fairly) satisfied Neither agree nor disagree (Fairly) dissatisfied 27% 27% 30% 21% 21% 25% 26% 30% 30% 32% 45% 42% 35% 43%40% 3% 6% 4%5% 7% 36% 37% 46% 36% 32% 29% 32% 27% 33% 34% 26% 24% 21% 24% 24% 10% 8% 7% 7% 10% 43% 45% 50% 46% 36% 32% 30% 30% 37% 39% 17% 19% 15% 13% 18% 9% 6% 5%5% 7% 65% 61% 70% 58% 56% 17% 23% 17% 26% 28% 12% 11% 9% 14% 15% 6% 1% 30% 30% 57% 38% 31% 40% 39% 27% 37% 42% 23% 23% 10% 22% 24% 7% 3% 61 20192020 202320242025 The satisfaction of young people with democracy tends to increase. Furthermore, in almost all countries, the majority of respondents are only partially satisfied. 26% 49% 43% 29% 30% 26% 26% 37% 37% 18% 23% 26% 7% 7% 8% 8% 20192020 202320242025 20192020 202320242025 20192020 202320242025 Base: all respondents, n=6.703 62 Only in Germany and the UK, the majority thinks that the democratic system works at least well on the whole. All in all, how well or how poorly do you think our political system works today? Which of the following statements best represents your opinion? Total 6% 9% 7% 5% 6% 4% 5% 6% 39% 55% 37% 40% 38% 17% 33% 54% 33% 24% 36% 30% 36% 37% 41% 27% 14% 8% 12% 16% 12% 34% 12% 7% 8% 4% 10% 10% 8% 8% 9% 7% Don’t know / no response It doesn’t work well at all and needs to be changed completely. It doesn’t work well and needs to be changed in many respects. It works well on the whole, but needs to be changed in some respects.

It works well and doesn’t need to be changed. Base: all respondents, n=6.703 63 One out of five is open to an authoritarian form of government under certain circumstances. More than every second person always prefers democracy. Which of the following statements best represents your opinion? 14% 9% 17% 18% 14% 12% 19% 12% 57% 71% 52% 51% 56% 61% 48% 60% 21% 15% 23% 23% 24% 22% 23% 18% 8% 5% 9% 8% 7% 5% 11% 10% Don’t know / no response Democracy is preferable to any other form of government. In certain circumstances, an authoritarian form of government is preferable to a democratic one. For people like me, it doesn’t really matter whether the form of government is democratic or not. Total I increasingly observe anti-democratic behaviour in [country]. Democracy in [country] is at risk. I don't dare to say openly what I think in [country]. 23% 20% 11% 29% 28% 18% 22% 23% 22% 10% 15% 24% 4% 5% 18% 12% 10% 7% Base: all respondents, n=6.703. 64 More than every second respondent observes behaviour hostile to democracy in their own country. Just as many see democracy in their country at risk. Now we would like to know how you view democracy as it exists in [country]. You can agree more or less with the following statements. To what extent do you agree with the respective statement? Completely agree Somewhat agree Neither agree nor disagree Somewhat disagree Completely disagree Don’t know / no response 65 Base: all respondents, n=6.703, „Neither agree nor disagree“ und „Don’t know / no response“ not shown Disagree Agree I increasingly observe anti- democratic behaviour in [country]. Democracy in [country] is at risk. I don't dare to say openly what I think in [country]. Above all, young Germans and Greeks see democracy in danger and observe behaviour hostile to democracy. Now we would like to know how you view democracy as it exists in [country].

You can agree more or less with the following statements. To what extent do you agree with the respective statement? Ø: 53% 70% 54% 50% 45% 61% 39% 51% Ø: 14% 9% 12% 12% 18% 11% 20% 19% Ø: 48% 61% 52% 39% 38% 62% 34% 47% Ø: 29% 28% 34% 27% 23% 39% 27% 28% Ø: 20% 17% 15% 20% 27% 10% 26% 24% Ø: 42% 50% 37% 41% 45% 27% 41% 52% Base: all respondents, n=12.577; 2024 not asked in the UK. Now we would like to know how you view democracy as it exists in [country]. You can agree more or less with the following statements. To what extent do you agree with the respective statement? I increasingly observe anti-democratic behaviour in [country]. Don’t know / no response (Somewhat) agree Neither agree nor disagree (Somewhat) disagree 9% 13% 16% 23% 70% 55% 5%9% 66 20242025 In Germany, more young people perceive anti-democratic behaviour in 2025 than in 2024. 12% 19% 20% 27% 54% 43% 14%10% 12% 15% 25% 28% 50% 48% 14%9% 18% 19% 25% 27% 45% 44% 12%10% 11% 11% 20% 18% 61% 67% 9%4% 20% 23% 24% 29% 39% 35% 18%13% 19% 20% 51% 10% 17% 20% 18% 25% 61% 48% 4%7% 15% 22% 22% 30% 52% 41% 11%8% 20% 27% 27% 29% 39% 34% 14%10% 27% 33% 23% 25% 38% 33% 11%9% 10% 12% 22% 17% 62% 66% 7%4% 26% 27% 26% 29% 34% 32% 13%12% 24% 20% 47% 8% Democracy in [country] is at risk. 20242025 20242025 2024202520242025 20242025 20242025 67 How do young people feel in 2025? Base: all respondents, n=25.654, missing values not shown 68 More young people describe their emotional state positively than in the previous year... Please describe your current emotional state in one word! (Open question) The open-ended answers of those surveyed have been evaluated by several coders whose first language is the respective national language with regard to their emotional state, and categorised as (relatively) positive, neutral or (relatively) negative.

(Typing) errors were cleaned from the responses first, and words with the same meaning (e.g. “sad” and “sadness”) were pooled. 21% 15% 18% 16% 11% 27% 23% 22% 22% 16% 20% 17% 15% 15% 23% 13% 19% 19% 18% 21% 19% 25% 26% 28% 27% 19% 16% 15% 11% 9% 28% 29% 33% 24% 27% 10% 9% 8% 7% 6% 8% 7% 7% 11% 22% 36% 39% 36% 48% 31% 10% 7% 6% 6% 2% 34% 34% 30% 33% 31% 10% 11% 10% 11% 11% 13% 19% 17% 19% 21% 33% 29% 36% 30% 33% 18% 14% 13% 14% 8% 38% 34% 35% 31% 32% 13% 12% 12% 17% 11% 5% 9% 8% 8% 7% 26% 32% 33% 31% 38% 21% 21% 20% 19% 22% 19% 22% 24% 21% 15% 12% 11% 10% 11% 9% 13% 17% 20% 21% 21% 35% 29% 26% 27% 31% 15% 15% 15% 17% 12% 20% 18% 20% 15% 6% 16% 12% 12% 12% 15% 18% 23% 18% 19% 18% 32% 33% 34% 37% 48% Positive Neutral Relatively negative Relatively positive Negative 2021202220232024202520212022202320242025202120222023202420252021202220232024202520212022202320242025 2021202220232024202520212022202320242025 15% 14% 14% 11% 33% 35% 35% 29% 17% 15% 14% 15% 19% 21% 21% 19% 16% 14% 17% 25% Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland Großbritannien Base: all respondents, n=25.654, missing values not shown 69 ...but still – with the exception of Poland – most describe the mood in their country as negative. Please think about how most people in [country] feel at the moment. How would you describe the emotional state of most people in [country] in one word? The open-ended answers of those surveyed have been evaluated by several coders whose first language is the respective national language with regard to their emotional state, and categorised as (relatively) positive, neutral or (relatively) negative. (Typing) errors were cleaned from the responses first, and words with the same meaning (e.g. “sad” and “sadness”) were pooled. This question was not asked in Greece.

35% 31% 24% 48% 48% 57% 7% 9% 6% 4% 7% 7% 5% 5% 3% 31% 45% 41% 49% 38% 42% 8% 5% 4% 7% 3% 3% 5% 9% 4% 44% 35% 25% 44% 47% 46% 6% 5% 10% 1% 6% 9% 5% 7% 7% 31% 34% 27% 51% 50% 52% 5% 9% 5% 7% 2% 2% 7% 5% 9% 40% 33% 21% 44% 35% 37% 8% 14% 13% 2% 8% 9% 6% 10% 15% Positive Neutral Relatively negative Relatively positive Negative 202320242025 35% 33% 51% 42% 5% 8% 5% 5% 4% 8% Germany France Spain Italy Poland Großbritannien 202320242025 202320242025 202320242025 202320242025 202320242025 Base: all respondents, n=3.616, missings not shown 70 This is how young Europeans assess their own emotional state in one word: Please describe your current emotional state in one word! (Open question) Base: all respondents, n=3.087, missings not shown; This question was not asked in Greece because of the smaller sample size. 71 This is how young Europeans assess the emotional state of most people in their country in one word: Please think about how most people in [country] feel at the moment. How would you describe the emotional state of most people in [country] in one word? Base: respondents from Germany, left n=502, right n=511, missings not shown 72 This is how young people in Germany are feeling in one word: Please describe your current emotional state in one word!

(open-ended questions) Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 müde neutral 56 2 glücklich positive 54 3 gut rather positive 47 4 entspannt positive 30 5 neutral neutral 25 6 zufrieden positive 25 7 okay rather positive 24 8 gestresst negative 21 9 Angespannt rather negative 9 10 erschöpft rather negative 8 Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 unsicher rather negative 49 2 besorgt rather negative 38 3 unzufrieden rather negative 30 4 verunsichert rather negative 27 5 ängstlich rather negative 27 6 angespannt rather negative 18 7 gut rather positive 17 8 frustriert negative 14 9 schlecht negative 10 10 unsicher rather negative 49 Please think about how most people in [COUNTRY] feel at the moment. How would you describe the emotional state of most people in [COUNTRY] in one word? This is how young people describe most people in their country feel: Base: respondents from France, left n=527, right n=527, missings not shown 73 This is how young people in France are feeling in one word: Please describe your current emotional state in one word! (open-ended questions) Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 fatigué rather negative 70 2 bien rather positive 42 3 heureuse positive 36 4 joyeuse positive 25 5 calme rather positive 24 6 stréssé negative 24 7 motivé positive 14 8 inquiete rather negative 9 9 anxieuse rather negative 8 10 déterminé positive 8 Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 inquièt rather negative 53 2 peur negative 20 3 stressé negative 17 4 aigri negative 17 5 colere negative 16 6 fatigué rather negative 16 7 anxiété rather negative 13 8 insécurité negative 11 9 desespere negative 10 10 pessimiste negative 9 Please think about how most people in [COUNTRY] feel at the moment. How would you describe the emotional state of most people in [COUNTRY] in one word?

This is how young people describe most people in their country feel: Base: respondents from Italy, left n=535, right n=534, missings not shown 74 This is how young people in Italy are feeling in one word: Please describe your current emotional state in one word! (open-ended questions) Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 felice positive 80 2 tranquilla positive 42 3 stanca rather negative 40 4 serena positive 26 5 triste rather negative 24 6 normale neutral 23 7 annoiata rather negative 18 8 neutrale neutral 14 9 ansiosa negative 12 10 confusa rather negative 12 Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 deluse rather negative 40 2 preoccupate rather negative 28 3 triste rather negative 27 4 insoddisfatta negative 22 5 confuse rather negative 20 6 ansiose negative 19 7 frustrato negative 18 8 stanche rather negative 13 9 stressate rather negative 11 10 povere rather negative 10 Please think about how most people in [COUNTRY] feel at the moment. How would you describe the emotional state of most people in [COUNTRY] in one word? This is how young people describe most people in their country feel: Base: respondents from Spain, left n=495, right n=505, missings not shown 75 This is how young people in Spain are feeling in one word: Please describe your current emotional state in one word!

(open-ended questions) Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 feliz positiv 116 2 cansada rather negative 50 3 bien rather positive 45 4 tranquila rather positive 30 5 normal neutral 22 6 contenta positiv 18 7 alegre positiv 15 8 estable rather positive 15 9 estresada rather negative 14 10 triste rather negative 116 Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 cansada rather negative 37 2 decepción negative 27 3 feliz positive 23 4 estresada rather negative 18 5 bien rather positive 18 6 triste rather negative 17 7 mal rather negative 16 8 normal neutral 15 9 frustrada negative 14 10 agobiada rather negative 13 Please think about how most people in [COUNTRY] feel at the moment. How would you describe the emotional state of most people in [COUNTRY] in one word? This is how young people describe most people in their country feel: Please describe your current emotional state in one word! (open-ended questions) This is how young people in Greece are feeling in one word: Base: respondents from Greece, n=512, missings not shown Note: The question ‘How would you describe the emotional state of most people in [COUNTRY] in one word?’ was not asked in Greece. 76 Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 καλά rather positive 66 2 χαρούμενος positive 33 3 Ήρεμος positive 31 4 Μ π ερδε μ ένος rather negative 20 5 χαρά positive 18 6 Άγχος negative 17 7 κουρασμένος rather negative 15 8 έτρια neutral 14 9 Ευχαριστημενος rather positive 14 10 Αγχωτική negative 12 Base: respondents from Poland, left n=499, right n=506, missings not shown 77 This is how young people in Poland are feeling in one word: Please describe your current emotional state in one word!

(open-ended questions) Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 dobry positive 127 2 stabilny rather positive 29 3 szczęśliwy positive 25 4 zmeczenie neutral 22 5 spokój rather positive 21 6 ok rather positive 16 7 smutek negative 16 8 neutralny neutral 15 9 radość positive 11 10 średni neutral 11 Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 dobry positive 41 2 niepewność rather negative 32 3 średni neutral 23 4 niepokój rather negative 17 5 smutek negative 13 6 zły negative 13 7 zmęczenie rather negative 11 8 ok rather positive 9 9 zagubieni rather negative 9 10 spokój rather positive 8 Please think about how most people in [COUNTRY] feel at the moment. How would you describe the emotional state of most people in [COUNTRY] in one word? This is how young people describe most people in their country feel: Base: respondents from the UK, left n=529, right n=521, missings not shown 78 This is how young people in UK are feeling in one word: Please describe your current emotional state in one word! (open-ended questions) Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 happy positive 79 2 stressed rather negative 34 3 content rather positive 29 4 tired rather negative 28 5 calm rather positive 24 6 fine rather positive 22 7 stable neutral 16 8 anxious negative 15 9 sad rather negative 15 10 neutral neutral 13 Rank Word Rating Frequency 1 depressed negative 40 2 frustrated rather negative 28 3 stressed rather negative 25 4 anxious negative 24 5 worried rather negative 21 6 tired rather negative 19 7 sad rather negative 15 8 happy positive 13 9 good positive 8 10 bad rather negative 9 Please think about how most people in [COUNTRY] feel at the moment. How would you describe the emotional state of most people in [COUNTRY] in one word?

This is how young people describe most people in their country feel: Base: all respondents, n=6.703, „Don’t know / no response“ not shown; 2024 not asked in the UK 79 Slightly positive outlook in Greece, Poland and UK – overall, young respondents in Europe look to the future with little optimism. When you think about the future, are you generally optimistic or generally pessimistic about your personal situation? Germany France Spain Italy Greece Poland UK 55% 64% 40% 29% 2025202320212019 59% 65% 36% 29% 2025202320212019 56% 60% 36% 33% 2025202320212019 50% 71% 40% 23% 2025202320212019 68% 71% 28% 27% 2025202320212019 59% 78% 31% 18% 2025202320212019 66% 81% 27% 17% 2025202320212019 201720192020 20212022202320242025 201720192020 20212022202320242025 201720192020 20212022202320242025 201720192020 20212022202320242025 201720192020 20212022202320242025 201720192020 20212022202320242025 201720192020 20212022202320242025 Optimistic Pessimistic Parents I do not have role models Friends Grandparents or relatives Siblings Entrepreneurs Teachers Athletes People who I have occasional contact with in my everyday life Artists Writers Somebody else Popstars, Musicians Influencers Politicians 35 39 41 46 41 41 47 27 21 17 12 15 16 16 13 18 18 20 17 15 19 13 16 16 17 13 15 16 9 14 16 19 16 14 11 8 8 11 8 20 7 10 7 6 8 10 11 8 13 7 9 7 9 12 9 8 6 6 8 7 8 11 7 6 8 6 7 10 9 6 6 7 4 7 4 6 9 8 5 4 6 7 6 7 7 5 4 5 2 10 7 8 5 4 4 3 5 5 8 5 2 4 4 3 8 42% 18% 17% 15% 14% 10% 9% 9% 8% 7% 6% 6% 6% 5% 5% 80 Most young people have role models, especially their own parents – however, in Germany, about a quarter have no role models. Some people have role models, others don’t. How about for you: do you have role models? If so, to which group or groups of people do the people who are role models for you belong? You can choose up to three groups.

Base: all respondents, „Don’t know / no response“ not shown , n=6.703. At night on the street In clubs, pubs or discos In a central place in my city, e.g. at the train station or the town square On social media platforms In the city centre During the day on the street At my workplace, at my school, at my university At home 7% 8% 15% 16% 17% 27% 38% 66% 25% 33% 46% 45% 49% 52% 43% 23% 34% 34% 26% 24% 22% 13% 10% 5% 29% 13% 8% 7% 6% 3% 3% 2% 5% 12% 5% 9% 5% 5% 6% 4% Base: all respondents, n=6.703 81 The young respondents feel safest at home, and least safe in public places. To what extent do you feel safe or unsafe in the following places or situations? Very safe Quite safe Somewhat unsafe Very unsafe Don‘t know / no response At night on the street In clubs, pubs or discos In a central place in my city, e.g. at the train station or the town square On social media platforms In the city centre During the day on the street At my workplace, at my school, at my university At home 64 67 57 68 68 49 64 48 52 36 50 52 45 45 40 37 20 47 46 20 28 25 36 31 34 45 18 25 27 31 19 31 44 16 30 11 24 10 20 26 10 14 9 16 10 18 21 11 8 4 8 6 10 11 5 5 Base: all respondents, n=6.703, „Safe“, „Somewhat safe“ & „Don’t know / no response“ not shown. 82 To what extent do you feel safe or unsafe in the following places or situations? – showing "somewhat unsafe" + "very unsafe" The perception of insecure places is similar in all countries – young people in Poland feel the least insecure. 63% 47% 34% 30% 28% 17% 13% 7% Base: all respondents, n=6.703, „Safe“, „Somewhat safe“ & „Don’t know / no response“ not shown. 83 Women feel significantly less safe than men at night on the streets and in clubs, pubs and discos. To what extent do you feel safe or unsafe in the following places or situations?

– showing "somewhat unsafe" + "very unsafe" 8% 6% male female 30% 38% 25% 32% At home At my workplace, at my school, at my university In the city centre In a central place in my city, e.g. at the train station or the town square During the day on the street At night on the street In clubs, pubs or discos On social media platforms 15% 12% 15% 18% 28% 33% 38% 56% 49% 77% Base: all respondents, n=6.703, „Safe“, „Somewhat safe“ & „Don’t know / no response“ not shown. 84 More young women feel unsafe on the streets at night in all countries than young men – and the difference is more than 20 percentage points everywhere. To what extent do you feel safe or unsafe in the following places or situations? – showing "somewhat unsafe" + "very unsafe" 49% 51% 56% 42% 57% 53% 30% 50%77% 79% 78% 73% 81% 85% 68% 78% At night on the street Total Young Men Young Women 85 Imprint Publisher: TUI Stiftung Karl-Wiechert-Allee 23 30625 Hannover The TUI Stiftung promotes and carries out projects all about “Young Europe”. The aim is to reinforce the European idea in general. This is why they undertake long-term investment in regional, national, and international projects focussing on education, training, as well as individual and professional development. Their headquarters are in Hannover and is committed to acting in the public interest as an independent, charitable foundation. Further information on work and projects carried out by the foundation can be found at: www.tui-stiftung.de Study was carried out by: YouGov Deutschland GmbH Tunisstraße 19-23 50667 Köln www.yougov.de