Millennials Pessimistic About the Future

New survey from One Young World reveals young Americans’ attitudes toward business, politics, religion and online security

Coming of age in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression has taken a serious toll on millennials, who maintain a generally pessimistic outlook on the future of the country, the effectiveness of its leaders and the possibilities awaiting young people themselves in the world of business. This is according to a new report released from One Young World, the global youth forum bringing together 1,200 delegates primarily under 25 from over 170 countries worldwide.

 

The one exception? The opportunities afforded the millennial generation by the Web. Though they remain wary of unregulated capitalism and the loss of privacy coinciding with the Internet’s transparency, 77% of millennials in the U.S. say the Internet has opened up greater business prospects for people their age.

 

In a year that has seen youth activism extend across the globe and drive real political change, the white paper created in conjunction with One Young World, “Beyond the Long Spring of Dissent,” acts as a temperature check on a generation facing increasing obstacles.

From inheriting massive public debt and a stagnant economy, to high unemployment figures and growing environmental concern, the factors motivating young people to challenge the status quo are given a thorough analysis in the report.

The white paper follows research conducted by YouGovStone on behalf of One Young World, which surveyed young people ages 20-29 from 21 different countries around the world on important global issues.

• In these troubled times, U.S. youth aren’t feeling exceedingly optimistic: A mere 29% of young Americans agree with the statement, “I feel very positive about my country’s future,” compared with a global average of 45%.


• Just 38% of U.S. millennials say their career ambition is to run their own business, versus 69% of millennials in China and an average of 68% worldwide.


• Young Americans’ pessimism — or apathy — toward the business world extends to the traditional process of climbing the corporate ladder: Only 40% report a career ambition to “work their way to the top of an established business,” versus 85% of young people in China and 64% worldwide.


• When it comes to the Internet, however, U.S. millennials show a flash of optimism: 77% agree “The Internet has opened up greater business prospects for people [their] age.” Nevertheless, half of American survey respondents report concern for their online privacy with the use of such sites as Facebook.


• Also high on the list of concerns for young Americans are the environment, the unchecked powers of capitalism and online security. Though a large minority — 42% — of young Americans is concerned with climate change, the number still hovers below the survey average of 69% and well below China’s 86%.


• Only 12% of respondents in the U.S. think that the world’s leaders are moving at the right speed to achieve effective agreements on combating climate change — though 65% of respondents in China think so.


• Despite the stereotypes, young Americans are not more religious than their peers: Fewer than half the American respondents agree that their faith is “a guiding force” in their lives, versus 64% in both China and around the world.

One Young World has published the report in preparation for its second annual summit, which gives its more than 1,200 delegates — most under the age of 25 — an opportunity to make their voices heard that is ordinarily afforded only to political and business leaders.

Supported by a distinguished lineup of counselors including Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Sir Bob Geldof, Muhammad Yunus, CEO of Unilever Paul Polman and co-founder of Doctors Without Borders Bernard Kouchner, delegates will use the forum to communicate their demands on the leaders of today.

The summit will run from Sept. 1-4, 2011, in Zurich and comprises three days of interactive sessions and discussion plenary based on six key resolutions: global business, media, global health, interfaith dialogue, environment and leadership.