Romanian youth – values, attitudes and concerns Victoria Stoiciu, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

Population-, society- and personal-level perspectives on the future How do you see the economic situation of Romanian people in the future How do you see the future of Romanian society in general? How do you see your personal future? Worse than now 32.0 28.0 4.0 Same than now 31.0 26.0 16.0 Better than now 37.0 46.0 80 Significantly less hopeful about their future: Objectively and subject fully less well-off Age – over 22, especially between 27-29

Satisfaction with various aspects of life Satisfaction, score 1-5 Score Satisfaction with family life 4,431 Satisfaction with education 4,179 Satisfaction with friends 4,105 Satisfaction with job 3,928 Satisfaction with life, in general 4,342

The fear factor Fear of corruption by accepting/giving bribe Individual fear scores Fear of corruption by accepting/giving bribe

Migration plans and perspectives 3.4 million Romanians abroad, migration before 40 Decline of intention with age, after 22 Higher access to good – higher intention to migrate; also- extreme poverty Main destination – Germany (19%) and UK (14%), France (8%), Italy (7%). 60% migration intention in 2014

Education and labor market situation 59 %of the young respondents are not currently in any kind of education or training (53% in 2014); 12% - NEETs Strong satisfaction with the overall quality of education in Romania is reported by a modest portion of the youth surveyed (15%) 42% of youth from families in which both parents have degrees higher than high school report having average scores of 9 to 10 (only 10% - less than high school). A greater percentage of students who assess the financial status of their household in negative terms report that their annual results are in the lowest score interval (64%, 5-6)

Education and labor market situation 43% have a permanent full-time or part-time contract; 25% have no job and do not intend to find one 37% youngsters who do not work in their line of occupation 22% consider themselves to be overqualified for their jobs Average working hours per week are 38.82; 10% - 50 hours a week The level of education (55%), luck (53%), acquaintances and good connections (44%) are considered to be the most important aspects in finding a job. The least important: education&work expertise from abroad (22.6 per cent) and party membership (13.4 per cent)

54% never discuss politics with family or acquaintances Interest in politics Interest in politics not interested at all very interested How much are you personally interested in Politics in general 63.5 3 How much are you personally interested in Politics in the EU 62 3.6 How much are you personally interested in Politics in Romania on a national level 57 5.3 How much are you personally interested in Politics in Romania on a regional/local level 55.5 6.7 54% never discuss politics with family or acquaintances 44% think young peoples interests are not at all represented in national politics But - 50% voted in the last parliamentary elections (29% did not have the right); 79% would vote if national elections were to be held

Legitimacy and quality of democracy of goods

Legitimacy and quality of democracy 10% of the sample have positive view on democracy per se and negative view on democracy in Romania – dissatisfied democrats/critical citizens Age and education matter for dissatisfied democrats

Trust in institutions

Ideology and policy preferences

Conclusions Individualistic optimism – migration option. Migration – for very poor and very reach High aspirations - aiming for higher education Age/life experience – less optimism Politics play a marginal role; low democratic support Education matters

Thank you!