How Do Young People See the World Compared to Older Generations?

“There is an emerging narrative about a growing intergenerational divide worldwide,” said a recent international survey conducted by The Changing Childhood Project. “In the media and in popular culture, the young are often portrayed as impatient, militant, outspoken, and even entitled, in contrast to more sober temperaments among older people. The concept of intergenerational tension is not new. What may be new, however, is the speed with which our world is changing – and with it, childhood.”

The Changing Childhood Project is a collaboration between UNICEF, - the UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children around the world, - and Gallup, - the analytics company best known for its international opinion polls. Created to explore these intergenerational shifts, the project seeks to answer a few key questions: what is it like growing up today?; how do young people see the world differently?; and, is there an intergenerational gap?

To explore these and other questions, the project conducted phone interviews in the first half of 2021 with over 22,000 individuals in 21 countries representing diverse regional and income levels: 

• Low-income: Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Zimbabwe;
• Middle-income: Argentina, Brazil, Lebanon, Morocco, Ukraine, Peru;
• High-income: France, Germany, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.

Each survey participant was asked 32 questions. In addition, in-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with a subset of the participants. In each country, the survey was given to two age cohorts: young people aged 15 to 24; and adults aged 40 and older. The countries vary in the age distribution of their populations, from Mali where two thirds of the population is under 24 to Japan were over 60% are over 40.

“Our survey reveals a dramatic distance between the generations in terms of how the young identify with the world around them, their outlook, and in some areas, their values. In many cases, these generational cleavages cut across country income levels, gender, and other factors - though we find evidence of the greatest divide within high-income countries, and a smaller divide in most low- and middle-income countries.”

Today’s 15-to-24-year-olds most often turn to online sources – primarily social media – to stay informed about current events. In every country, young people are at least 10 percentage points more likely than older people to use online sources for information, and in most countries, the difference is 30 percentage points or more.

Let me summarize some of the survey’s key findings.

Digital divides. “Young people mostly inhabit a digital world. Older generations less so.”

• For many 15-to-24 year olds there’s no distinction between online and offline life;
• 77% of young people say that they use the internet daily, versus 52% of those from older generations;
• To stay informed about current event, 45% of 15-to-24 access social media and other online sources compared to 17% of over-40s, while only 15% of 15-to-24s turn to TV compared to 39% of over-40s; 
• Young people see greater benefits of life online compared to older generations including: education 72% to 64%; having fun 62% to 51%; being creative 58% to 49%; and socializing 52% to 46%;
• 25% of young internet users are very concerned about privacy online compared to 36% of older users.

Improved conditions. “Young people see greater progress for children in many key areas.”

• 15-to-24 year-olds believe childhood has improved over the past generation in a number of areas compared to over-40s including: quality of health care 81% to 75%; access to clean water 80% to 72%; quality of education 73% to 57%; opportunities to play 69% to 56%; physical safety 64% to 46%; and access to healthy food 58% to 55%.

Mental well-being. “Compared to older generations, young people are more likely to say they feel the stresses and psychological burdens of modern life,” especially in high income countries.

• Only 48% of 15-to-24 and 38% of over-40 say that the mental well-being of children is better today;
• 33% of young people (31% of over-40) in high income countries feel that childhood mental health has improved compared to 67% (55%) in low-income and 48% (37%) in middle-income countries;
• Both young (59%) and older (56%) people agree that children today face greater pressure to succeed than in past generations;
• 36% of 15-to-24 year olds say they often feel anxious, worried, or nervous compared with 30% of over-40s;
• 19% of young people say they often feel depressed compared to 15% of older people.

World views. “Young people are more optimistic about the future of the world than their older counterparts.”

• 57% of 15-to-24 say the world is becoming a better place versus 39% for over-40;
• Overall, 54% of young people feel children will be better off economically than their parents compared to 45% of older people;
• Only 31% of young people in high-income countries think they will be better off than their parents compared to 69% of young people in low-income and 50% in middle-income countries;
• 39% of 15-to-24 year-olds see themselves as citizens of the world compared to 22% of over-40s;
• 45% of those 40 and over identify most with their country and 30% with their local community compared with 39% and 26% respectively for 15-to-24 year-olds.

Social progress and equity. “Generations align on matters of equity,” but the young, women, and those in high-income countries are more supportive of LGBTQ+ rights.

• At least 80% of young and older generations agree it’s somewhat or very important to treat women and members of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities equally;
• 71% of 15-24 year olds say it’s somewhat or very important to treat LGBTQ+ people equally, versus 57% of older generations;
• Young women (55%) are more likely than young men (45%) to say that it’s very important that members of the LGBTQ+ community be treated equally;
• 88% of young people in high income countries (75% of over-40s) say it’s very important that members of the LGBTQ+ community be treated equally compared to 21% (17%) in low-income and 68% (57%) in middle-income countries.

“Our results show that clichés about young people being entitled, demanding, or naïve are not backed up by data,” said the UNICEF-Gallup survey in conclusion. “Even against the longest odds and some of the toughest problems in a century or more - the climate crisis and the ongoing pandemic - children and young people are not giving up. They are aware of the world’s problems, they are cognizant of the misinformation that takes up so much virtual space, and many are wrestling with anxiety or depressed moods. And yet, they are looking to a better future.”

“These results present a challenge to adults and people in decision-making positions. The challenge is to listen to these young people, and to take their views and ideas into account when shaping visions, plans, and policies. The challenge is to take on some of their positivity, some of their optimism, to boldly tackle the problems we face, not hide from them. The challenge to national politicians is to listen to young people who are not looking inward – but rather, outward across the globe, eager for interaction and cooperation. … Affording them not just responsibility but also the voice, freedom, and agency to shape the future will benefit the world for years to come.”