The economic uncertainty that prevails also characterizes Sweden's young people. 44 percent state that personal finance is a major source of worry, an increase from 37 percent the previous year. For the first time in several years, reduced unemployment is one of the social issues that young people believe has increased in importance.
At the same time, there is an increased interest in making money and becoming economically successful.
"Young people have a strong drive to secure their economic future, and we see a growing stress related to personal finance and job prospects. This is driven by high youth unemployment and rising prices, but also social media, where the constant exposure to others' success stories and extravagant lifestyles creates pressure to succeed," says Ulrik Hoffman, CEO of Ungdomsbarometern, in a press release.
The report also shows that views on relationships have become more conservative. Nine out of ten young people agree that "the goal of a relationship is to find someone to share the rest of their life with", an increase of 14 percent since 2022.
On the other hand, idealism is on the decline, and pragmatism and conservative values are taking over. Fewer and fewer see environmental engagement as part of their identity, and the proportion of young people who identify as feminists has dropped from 32 percent to 18 percent over four years.
