Young people in Germany fear war and poverty - a worrying study!

Young people in Germany fear war and poverty - a worrying study!

In Germany, the worries of young people are growing. According to the current Shell youth study 2024, fears of war, poverty and pollution have intensified in recent years. This study is based on a representative sample of 2509 young people between the ages of 12 and 25 and shows that the majority of young people in Europe, especially in Germany, are facing an increasingly insecure future. It is particularly worrying that 80% of the respondents are afraid of a war in Europe and many fear for their economic situation.

Noah and Charlotte, both 18 years old and high school graduates at the Gymnasium Alleestraße in Siegburg, embody these fears. Noah expresses concerns about the abolition of the citizens' allowance and the global political situation. In his view, extreme views on social media influence the political climate. He also reports on personal worries, since as a trans person he has concerns about his entry into the USA due to his changed sex in the passport. At the same time, Charlotte is worried about the right of rights in politics, especially about the AfD and the associated polarization in social media.

apathy and responsibility

While Noah and Charlotte speak openly about their fears, the study also shows a worrying tendency to withdraw from political discussions. Andreas Wabnik, the head of the Siegburg cultural café, notices a decreasing interest of young people in global political issues. Many young people seem to focus more on their own developments and future prospects instead of dealing with geopolitical questions. This is reinforced by the fact that 56% of young people look optimistically into the future, but only 57% in East Germany and 77% in West Germany are satisfied with democracy.

Patrick Mendel, head of the Dieichhaus youth center, emphasizes that many students do not see great perspectives in the transition from school to profession in Siegburg. There is a clear desire for more space and possibilities in the city. These worries have even produced local advisory services that help children and adolescents to cope with their fears. Sibylle Friedhofen from the Sankt Augustiner Child Protection Association emphasizes the importance of taking anxiety seriously and at the same time giving positive impulses.

growing support for authoritarian attitudes

Alarming development is also evident in the increase in authoritarian attitudes among young people: the proportion of young people who support autocratic positions has increased from 33% to 44%. In East Germany, the number is even up to 57%that believe that a "strong hand" is necessary. These figures clarify that uncertainty is not only anchored in personal concerns, but also in a broader system criticism.

The Shell Youth study shows that 75% of young people in Germany believe that the country offers them opportunities to realize their life goals, while at the same time the social inequality and associated worries have growing influence on the attitude of young people. This duality between hope and fear is the reality with which many young people currently have to deal.

The SPD therefore calls for a stronger integration of young people into politics in order to build trust and give them a voice. The combination of personal fears and the acceptance of interest in political issues shows how important it is that politics reacts to the needs and worries of youth. This is the only way to create a cross -generational perspective that meets these challenges.