Image: VOLKER Weihbold
Only 15 percent of those surveyed from Gen Z feel very or fairly well represented by politics, 17 percent trust them. Two-thirds of 16 to 25 year olds say they are interested in politics. 55 percent describe current news as “important” in order to be able to have a say. Three out of ten respondents describe them as stressful, but still find out about it. 16 percent avoid news as much as possible. In general, the global situation scares 57 percent of 16 to 25 year olds.
Climate change yes, but still prefer combustion engines
77 percent see an urgent need for action on the subject of climate change, and 68 percent call on politicians to “finally lay down rules for sustainable changes”. Two thirds plan to buy a petrol vehicle, 17 percent an electric car and 17 percent none at all, 62 percent are against further speed limits and 36 percent can imagine doing without meat for the sake of the climate.
Only three in ten Gen Z are happy with their curriculum. The rest would have liked to have revised them. Respondents would like more content specifically on the topics of mental health (82 percent), finance (72 percent), media (58 percent) and democracy (36 percent). Just over half feel pressure at school, and a quarter are affected by bullying. 6 percent or an extrapolated 57,900 young people were sent or shown naked pictures against their will.
Once you have finished school, sooner or later you will find yourself in the world of work. Three quarters of those questioned want a secure job and “do something meaningful”. Two-thirds of Gen Z don’t want to do without enough free time. When asked about the four-day week, one third said they would like an additional day off if there were more hours in the remaining working week. A quarter want to work eight hours a day, four times a week. Seven percent could imagine a four-day week and the associated loss of salary. 38 percent consider a high income to be important. A nursing job is an option for seven percent of those surveyed, and for a further 26 percent if the pay and working conditions improve.
Almost everyone wants a condominium or house
Almost all of those surveyed (92 percent) would like to live in a single-family house or a condominium. A large majority (67 percent) want to marry, for just a few fewer (62 percent) children are part of a successful life. There is also a stubborn assumption among some Gen Z that men are better drivers than women (28 percent).
Don’t make such a fuss about sex
39 percent fully support being able to live their sexual orientation freely. 45 percent say, “Okay – but you don’t have to make such a fuss about it”. 53 percent of Gen Z believe that Austria is still a long way from achieving equality between men and women, with young women agreeing more strongly with this statement (70 percent). A third of 16 to 25-year-olds are unhappy with their appearance, although young women are slightly higher here (36 percent). Four out of five respondents agree that editing photos using Photoshop or filters distorts reality and makes them unhappy.
72 percent consider digitization in all areas of life to be predominantly positive. The joy and fear of artificial intelligence are relatively balanced in Gen Z. 32 percent of students use Chat GPT or other AI chatbots.
The study
The Ö3 youth study was carried out from April 17th to May 14th with the scientific support of the SORA Institute. Only the answers of people who answered at least 90 percent of the questions were used for the evaluation. In the same period, a representative telephone and online survey was carried out for the same age group, which, according to the broadcast, came to the same results for key indicators. The Ö3 youth study is now available every spring, with a pool of basic questions intended to enable long-term comparisons of attitudes and values.
Source: Nachrichten
