Research conducted by academics at City University London and the European Policy Centre shows that there are clear differences in the attitudes and values of young people in Europe compared to the rest of the European population.
Analysis of data from established cross-national surveys covering more than 20 countries showed that young, affluent, well-educated people feel more optimistic than other sections of the European population and young people are more likely to have a positive attitude towards EU-level decision-making than older population groups.
While there is a high and stable level of support for the idea that the government has a responsibility to provide welfare services and support for its citizens across the Continent, young people are also less likely to support the general concept of government intervention.
The research, which was a joint initiative between the European Policy Centre and the European Commission, aimed to help determine the most appropriate policies to maintain and increase quality of life across the Member States of the European Union.
The study follows recent research also conducted by Eric Harrison and colleagues at the Centre for Comparative Social Surveys which showed that young people in their twenties in the UK were more likely to feel discriminated against on the basis of age and that age had a stronger ‘bonding effect’ than other bases for social identity.
Eric says that that coupled with this previous research, the latest analysis suggests that age is a significant factor in determining attitudes, values and preferences in Europe.
“We expected to see that perspectives across the Continent varied on the basis of cultural background or country; instead we found that some of the biggest differences in values existed between different age groups."
“This suggests that the biggest gaps in European attitudes and values aren’t always determined by national borders, although this does depend on your social background as well.The young and well educated are more similar to each other in their outlook right across Europe, whereas the older generations – particularly from less educated backgrounds – retain more nationally distinctive in their views."
“Interestingly there was no one set of overall European values that should govern how the EU operates, but this latest research suggests that as this group grows older they will provide consistent support for decision-making at EU level.”
Other interesting results included the fact that work remains central to the lives of European citizens, with this being regarded by respondents as more important than leisure in virtually every country. Richer countries with greater GDP place particularly strong emphasis on leisure than those with lower GDPs.
Across the European population the sick and the elderly were seen as the most deserving recipients of government assistance, however countries with older populations generally have lower levels of satisfaction with most types of public service.
The European Policy Centre is an independent, not-for-profit think tank, committed to making European integration work. The EPC works at the "cutting edge" of European and global policy-making providing rapid, high-quality information and analysis on the EU and global policy agenda. It aims to promote a balanced dialogue between the different constituencies of its membership, spanning all aspects of economic and social life.
In line with its multi-constituency approach, members of the EPC comprise companies, professional and business federations, trade unions, diplomatic missions, regional and local bodies, as well as NGOs representing a broad range of civil society interests, foundations, international and religious organisations.
Analysis of data from established cross-national surveys covering more than 20 countries showed that young, affluent, well-educated people feel more optimistic than other sections of the European population and young people are more likely to have a positive attitude towards EU-level decision-making than older population groups.
While there is a high and stable level of support for the idea that the government has a responsibility to provide welfare services and support for its citizens across the Continent, young people are also less likely to support the general concept of government intervention.
The research, which was a joint initiative between the European Policy Centre and the European Commission, aimed to help determine the most appropriate policies to maintain and increase quality of life across the Member States of the European Union.
The study follows recent research also conducted by Eric Harrison and colleagues at the Centre for Comparative Social Surveys which showed that young people in their twenties in the UK were more likely to feel discriminated against on the basis of age and that age had a stronger ‘bonding effect’ than other bases for social identity.
Eric says that that coupled with this previous research, the latest analysis suggests that age is a significant factor in determining attitudes, values and preferences in Europe.
“We expected to see that perspectives across the Continent varied on the basis of cultural background or country; instead we found that some of the biggest differences in values existed between different age groups."
“This suggests that the biggest gaps in European attitudes and values aren’t always determined by national borders, although this does depend on your social background as well.The young and well educated are more similar to each other in their outlook right across Europe, whereas the older generations – particularly from less educated backgrounds – retain more nationally distinctive in their views."
“Interestingly there was no one set of overall European values that should govern how the EU operates, but this latest research suggests that as this group grows older they will provide consistent support for decision-making at EU level.”
Other interesting results included the fact that work remains central to the lives of European citizens, with this being regarded by respondents as more important than leisure in virtually every country. Richer countries with greater GDP place particularly strong emphasis on leisure than those with lower GDPs.
Across the European population the sick and the elderly were seen as the most deserving recipients of government assistance, however countries with older populations generally have lower levels of satisfaction with most types of public service.
The European Policy Centre is an independent, not-for-profit think tank, committed to making European integration work. The EPC works at the "cutting edge" of European and global policy-making providing rapid, high-quality information and analysis on the EU and global policy agenda. It aims to promote a balanced dialogue between the different constituencies of its membership, spanning all aspects of economic and social life.
In line with its multi-constituency approach, members of the EPC comprise companies, professional and business federations, trade unions, diplomatic missions, regional and local bodies, as well as NGOs representing a broad range of civil society interests, foundations, international and religious organisations.