03/02/2026
(The Allianz Foundation’s Study)
Europe’s younger generations are not easy to categorise. Politically, they are neither strictly left-wing nor strictly right-wing, nor are they totally committed to radical change or entirely attached to the status quo. Instead, they are navigating a period of deep uncertainty, balancing ambitious hopes for transformation with growing doubts about how – and by whom – change should be delivered. Their visions for the future of democracy, the economy and the planet reveal both common priorities and significant internal tensions.
This is the main conclusion reached by the Allianz Foundation‘s Next Generations Study 2025, entitled ‘Between nostalgia and new horizons: how young Europeans imagine and shape the future’. Based on a representative survey of more than 8,500 young people aged 16 to 39 in France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain– countries that together account for 65% of Europe’s youth and young adults – this study explored how young Europeans view the future, engage in civic life and where the fault lines of political backlash are beginning to emerge.
To mark the launch of the study, The Good Lobby hosted an online webinar bringing together civil society organisations, policymakers and experts from across Europe. The event registered high participation and lively engagement, reflecting the strong appetite among civil society actors for evidence-based insights into youth political attitudes at a time of democratic uncertainty. During the event, the authors of the study presented the key findings and participated in a discussion on how this information can inform civic action and democratic engagement in practice.
A generation seeking change
Across Europe, a clear majority (65%) of young people support a future that moves beyond today’s dominant focus on economic growth, favouring societies that prioritise sustainability, environmental protection and more meaningful forms of democratic participation. Crucially, this aspiration is shared across the political spectrum, including among young people who identify as centrist or right-leaning.
Young Europeans are broadly willing to accept trade-offs to achieve these goals – such as slower decision-making, higher costs or reduced consumer choice. What divides them is not whether change is needed, but how it should be pursued.
The study identifies several distinct pathways to transformation. Young people on the right tend to favour “green growth” approaches, combining technological innovation, infrastructure investment and market-driven solutions. Those on the left are more open to deeper ecological transitions, including local, circular economies and changes in consumption patterns. Centrists often gravitate toward incremental and compromise-oriented solutions, balancing ambition with stability.
At the same time, nearly one quarter (23%) of young Europeans continue to favour conventional growth-oriented models, prioritising economic stability, technological progress or national security. A further 12% remain undecided, representing a pivotal group whose future alignment could significantly shape Europe’s political trajectory.
Nostalgia, backlash and democratic risk
Alongside this broad appetite for transformation, the study highlights a less visible but increasingly important undercurrent: political backlash among a minority of young Europeans.
Using a newly developed Backlash Barometer, the study finds that:
- 47% of young people feel politically deprived and ignored by elites
- 43% express nostalgia for a “better” past
- 28% endorse regressive societal visions, including traditional gender roles and the marginalisation of minorities
Most strikingly, around one in nine young Europeans (11%) considers extraordinary tactics – including illegal protest, abuse of political opponents or even political violence – to be legitimate means of achieving political goals. While these views exist across the political spectrum, they are significantly more prevalent among young people who identify as right-wing or far-right.
These findings do not suggest that young Europeans are turning away from democracy en masse. Rather, they point to a fragile moment in which frustration, nostalgia and perceived exclusion can, under certain conditions, erode democratic norms if left unaddressed.
Civic resilience and renewed mobilisation
Importantly, the study also offers strong evidence of democratic resilience. Nearly 97% of young Europeans report having engaged in at least one form of civic action, ranging from voting and donating to volunteering, petitions and demonstrations.
Participation in demonstrations has increased significantly since 2023, particularly in Italy, Germany and Poland, signalling a renewed willingness to engage collectively when issues are perceived as urgent and meaningful. Climate action, human rights, education and civil liberties remain the strongest drivers of mobilisation.
At the same time, many young people experience civic engagement as costly or risky. More than half perceive collective action as exposing them to social conflict, psychological strain or online harassment. These barriers help explain why low-threshold, individual forms of participation still dominate, even among politically motivated youth.
From Research to Action
The Next Generations Study goes beyond diagnosis and offers concrete, evidence-based insights for civil society organisations, including:
- Anchor engagement in everyday concerns: education, climate, rights and social security motivate action when they feel tangible
- Tell authentic, lived stories rather than abstract ideals or jargon
- Lean into moments of crisis as opportunities for mobilisation and dialogue
- Design low-barrier, social forms of participation, where engagement spreads through peers
- Tailor strategies to different civic profiles, from hesitant progressives to highly active campaigners
To translate these insights into practice, the Allianz Foundation convened 78 civil society leaders, artists and journalists in seven European cities as part of its Future Labs. These spaces transformed research findings into practical strategies for mobilisation, dialogue and programme design – by civil society, for civil society.
The full study, accompanied by key illustrations and scenario-based analyses illustrating how young Europeans envisage the future, is now available on the dedicated website.