Youth in Europe: European, democratic – but critical
Today, the TUI Foundation presented its latest youth study in Berlin. Here are some of the key findings:
- Young people in Europe have internalised and appreciate the achievements and values of the European Union (EU) and democracy. At the same time, they recognise clear weaknesses and problems.
- More than half of young Europeans think that their country's membership of the EU is "a good thing". 39 per cent say that links between EU countries should be closer.
- Elections and demonstrations are the most important means for young EU citizens to exert political influence.
- However, only just under a fifth feel strongly or very strongly represented by their own country's parliament and by the EU Parliament.
- Young people see migration as the most important problem facing the EU, ahead of climate change.
- The 16 to 26-year-olds see freedom of travel as the EU's most important achievement.
In order to better understand the world, identity(ies) and attitudes of young Europeans towards Europe, the TUI Foundation has been commissioning the international opinion research institute YouGov to conduct annual surveys of young people since 2017 – this year, almost 6,000 young people aged 16 to 26 were surveyed online in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland and Spain.
According to the TUI Foundation study, only 17 per cent of respondents feel strongly or very strongly represented by the European Parliament (19 per cent in Germany). The situation is similar at national level: Here, too, only 17 per cent on average, and 23 per cent in Germany, say that "the Parliament represents me strongly or very strongly".
Young Europeans are very dissatisfied with the state of democracy in their own country. Only just under a quarter (23 per cent) are (somewhat) satisfied. Germany is an exception here: four out of ten (42 per cent) are satisfied.
In their own country, young people perceive major social tensions, particularly between those on the political left and right and between rich and poor people. Almost every second respondent observes anti-democratic behaviour in their own country (49%). In Germany, this figure is over half of those surveyed (55 per cent) and in Greece it is as high as 67 per cent. Four out of ten respondents state that democracy in their country is in danger.
About TUI Group
The TUI Group is one of the world's leading tourism groups and operates worldwide. The Group is headquartered in Germany. TUI shares are listed in the MDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and in the regulated market of the Lower Saxony Stock Exchange in Hanover. TUI Group offers its 20 million customers integrated services from a single source and forms the entire tourism value chain under one roof. The Group owns over 400 hotels and resorts with premium brands such as RIU, TUI Blue and Robinson and 17 cruise ships, ranging from the MS Europa and MS Europa 2 in the luxury class and expedition ships in the HANSEATIC class to the Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises and cruise ships operated by Marella Cruises in the UK. The Group also includes Europe's leading tour operator brands and online marketing platforms, for example for hotel-only or flight-only offers, five airlines with more than 130 modern medium- and long-haul aircraft and around 1,200 travel agencies. In addition to expanding its core business with hotels and cruises via successful joint ventures and activities in vacation destinations, TUI is increasingly focusing on the expansion of digital platforms. The Group is transforming itself into a global tourism platform company.
Global responsibility for sustainable economic, environmental and social action is at the heart of our corporate culture. With projects in 25 countries, the TUI Care Foundation initiated by TUI focuses on the positive effects of tourism, on education and training and on strengthening environmental and social standards. In this way, it supports the development of vacation destinations. The globally active TUI Care Foundation initiates projects that create new opportunities for the next generation.
