Almost half of young people in the UK feel anxious about their future on a daily basis, with over half agreeing it feels frightening for their generation, new research from The Prince’s Trust today reveals.
The study finds that more than one in three young people think their job prospects will never recover from the pandemic, the equivalent of around 2.8 million young people across the UK. A similar report earlier this year suggested that one in five felt this way.
For those from lower income backgrounds, 42 per cent do not think their job prospects will ever recover, in comparison to 29 per cent of those from more affluent families.
The research, conducted by Censuswide with 2,002 16 to 25-year-olds across the UK, asked young people how confident, hopeful and in control they felt of their lives and careers since the pandemic.
It comes as The Prince’s Trust launches its ‘Class of Covid’ campaign to raise awareness of a generation of young people who are still feeling the repercussions of the pandemic on their education, employment and wellbeing, and who now face a cost of living crisis.
More than two fifths agree anxiety around recent political and economic events affects them daily, with half agreeing their aspirations for the future are lower now as a result of global events since 2020.
The report finds that half of respondents agree the expected recession in the UK is making them more concerned than ever for their job security, with one in three no longer thinking they will achieve their career goals.
More than a third feel their life is spiralling out of control, and for those from lower income backgrounds, this increases to 41 per cent.
Jonathan Townsend, UK Chief Executive of The Prince’s Trust said:
