Corruption, unemployment biggest concerns of millennials – WEF study

Corruption, unemployment and lack of education emerged as the top concerns of millennials from around the globe in their respective economies, while the national government and the media were cited as the most distrusted institutions, a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) showed.

The WEF’s Global Shapers Annual Survey 2016 revealed that 57 percent of young people between 18 and 35 years old worldwide pointed to corruption as the most serious issue affecting his or her country today.

This was followed by lack of economic opportunity and ample employment at 34 percent and lack of education at 30 percent.

Corruption was also cited as the top factor in making the public sector job market unattractive to young people.

National government and news media, meanwhile, have been found as the most distrusted institutions among millennials, with a voting share of 47 percent each.

On a global scale, however, millennials chose climate change as the number one challenge with 45 percent of respondents selecting it, followed by large-scale conflicts or wars at 38 percent and religious conflicts at 34 percent.

“Young people between 18 and 35 view the world with cautious optimism and, overall, display progressive values, with regionally diverse views on gender equality and samesex marriage. Millennials embrace new technologies, with a wary eye on their privacy and personal data, and see access to Internet as a key requirement for empowerment,” the WEF said.

“The majority are frustrated by corruption and lack of jobs, and climate change remains the top global concern, trumping war and poverty,” the WEF said.

But despite serious concerns about widespread corruption, conflicts, the effects of climate change and missing opportunities for social and economic inclusion, the WEF said young people remain optimistic as 70 percent of millennials see the world full of opportunities and 50 percent believe they can actively contribute to decision-making in their countries.

The Global Shapers Annual Survey 2016 received results from over 26,000 millennials from more than 140 countries, including the Philippines, on their opinions on a range of issues including technology, governance, roles of business, values and work-life balance.

The survey offers insights into the thinking, priorities and concerns of young people around the world.