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The 2024 Youth Barometer, published as a special anniversary edition, examines how young people’s attitudes in Finland have changed over the past 30 years. Instead of focusing on a single theme, the study tracks shifts in responses to key questions posed since the first Youth Barometer in 1994. The findings highlight both the stability of Finnish youth policy and broader societal changes over the decades.
One of the most significant developments is a sharp increase in political interest among young people. In 1997, only a third of young Finns expressed some level of interest in politics. By 2024, this figure had risen to 63 percent. Political engagement was at its lowest in 2008 when only 27 percent showed interest. Tomi Kiilakoski of the Finnish Youth Research Society says concerns about young people disengaging from society are not supported by the data. Instead, Finnish youth remain strongly attached to society, with 72 percent feeling a strong sense of belonging. Trust in institutions has also grown, particularly in international organisations. More young Finns identify as European, view EU membership as beneficial, and express increasing trust in NATO. Confidence in national security institutions, including the police and armed forces, has remained high throughout the years.
Education has been a central theme in the Youth Barometer since its inception. The belief in the link between education and employment has remained strong among Finnish youth despite economic fluctuations. However, attitudes toward foreign workers have changed significantly. In 2013, only 37 percent of young Finns supported the idea that Finland needs more foreign workers. By 2024, this number had increased to 66 percent.
The study also highlights changes in identity. More young people now identify as belonging to a gender or sexual minority. Since 2015, the proportion of non-binary youth has risen from zero to around two percent, while the total number of youth identifying as gender minorities now stands at five percent. The number of young people identifying as part of a sexual minority has also increased, rising from one in ten in 2020 to one in six in 2024. Among young women, the increase is particularly pronounced, with a quarter now identifying as part of a sexual minority. Konsta Happonen of the Finnish Youth Research Society notes that minority identity is linked to broader values and higher levels of social engagement.
A concerning finding in the latest barometer is the decline in optimism about the future. In 2016, 83 percent of respondents viewed their personal future positively. By 2024, this had dropped to 61 percent. Optimism has also fallen significantly compared to 2018 and 2021. Ida Leino, chair of the Finnish Youth Council, calls for concrete measures to restore young people’s confidence in the future and urges leaders to offer hope instead of focusing on crises.
When asked about their aspirations by the age of 35, young people ranked close friendships as the most important. The importance of family, however, has declined. In 1998, 86 percent considered starting a family a key goal, whereas in 2024, only 69 percent shared this view.
Life satisfaction among Finnish youth has fluctuated over the years but has gradually declined. The highest level of satisfaction was recorded in 2002 when 61 percent rated their life a 9 or 10 out of 10. In 2024, this figure had dropped to 44 percent.
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
