Pessimism prevails among Greeks aged 17 to 45 about the country’s course in the next decade, according to the findings of a nationwide survey by Metron Analysis for the Professional Chamber of Athens. In this age group, 76% of the participants – that is, three out of four – believes that Greece is moving in the wrong direction. In addition, 39% believe that their personal life will deteriorate within the next five to ten years.
Punctuality emerges as the number one concern for 71% of respondents, confirming that the increased cost of living is the key stressor for households.
Demographic concern – the economy and housing are holding back childbearing
Particular concern is caused by the evidence that they are about demographics. 70% of young people state that, due to financial and/or housing difficulties, they do not intend to have children. In fact, 9 out of 10 (up to 90%) even reject the idea of marriage because of the high cost. At the same time, the perspective of immigration comes back strongly to the thoughts of young people: 68% have seriously considered moving abroad looking for better conditions – a finding that is in line with corresponding percentages recorded by Alco.
“Findings that should worry the government”
The president of the Professional Chamber of Athens, Yiannis Chatzitheodosiou, comments that the results of the survey “are impressive and deserve special attention”. As he notes: “When 76% consider that the country is going in the wrong directionthis is an element that should concern us all. The fact that 71% identify accuracy as a key problem shows that a large part of society is still struggling.
At the same time, the new generation sees the future with pessimism. The only concern is that 70% state that they do not have children due to financial difficulties. Dealing with demographics is a matter of national importance.” And he concludes that the findings must be studied seriously both by the government and by all political parties, with the aim of immediate interventions, “otherwise the coming days will be difficult for the country”.