A new study conducted by Amárach Research in association with Young Social Innovators (YSI), has detailed the hopes and fears that Generation Z harbours for the future.
The research was undertaken to understand the key issues Ireland’s young people are facing today, as well as their hopes and fears for the next 20 years and coincides with the 20th anniversary of YSI in Ireland.
YSI focuses on empowering Ireland’s young people to reimagine the world and the communities they live in, by collaborating with their peers to produce innovative ideas and projects that help propagate a fairer, more equal and sustainable world.
When asked to think ahead to 20 years’ time, 79% of Gen Z survey respondents said ‘unaffordable cost of living’ as their greatest fear for the future. In addition, more than a third are hoping for a greater say in future policies and planning, and would consider becoming a political representative. Following this worry was climate change, with 78% of young people listing it as a future concern.
Other research found that 80% said that the Leaving Cert does not prepare young people for their future career paths, and 4 in 5 young people felt that there was too much emphasis on third level education.
Commenting on the future outlook of Generation Z, Young Social Innovators Co-founder and CEO, Rachel Collier, said:
“Gen Z has long been identified as a conscientious and altruistic generation, taking an activist, hands-on approach to trying to solve the world’s problems. This new research study provides a further depth of understanding into this generation, showcasing a pragmatism in areas such as policy making and financial security that they would not typically have been credited with before."
