JEF Finland has carried out a study together with Taloustutkimus Oy on young people’s opinions of the European Union. The study was conducted with funding from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ Europe Information programme, and the data was collected via Taloustutkimus’s online panel between 19–23 August 2022. The study examined the opinions of 18–29-year-olds on, among other things, the EU’s functioning and future prospects. Where applicable, the results can be compared with a similar study conducted in 2018.
“This new study shows how young people’s positive views of the EU have grown since 2018. This positive attitude reflects confidence in the EU’s actions and objectives. An overwhelming majority of respondents feel that Finland is stronger as an EU member, which is not at all surprising given the current security policy situation“, comments JEF Finland’s President Risto Rajala.
According to the report, 84% of young people fully or somewhat agree that Finland’s position in the world is stronger as an EU member. The share of those who fully agree has grown by as much as 20 percentage points since 2018. 71% of young people also feel that the European Union should be able to act more effectively, and a majority (75%) believe that individual member states should not be able to block important decisions in the EU.
“In light of these results, it’s completely clear that young people want a strong EU that can shape major global developments and safeguard our position in the world. Let’s hope politicians keep this in mind when making decisions too“, comments JEF Finland’s President Risto Rajala.
Tommi Saarnio, researcher at Taloustutkimus Oy, presented the report at the launch event on 8 October 2022.
Explore the full report here.
JEF Finland is a nationwide youth organisation founded in 1997 that serves as a voice for young people on European and international issues. The organisation is religiously and politically unaffiliated, and its activities are open to all young people under the age of 29. JEF Finland’s goal is to promote a positive attitude towards the European Union and internationalism, and to campaign for a better and more united Europe. More information about JEF Finland can be found at eurooppanuoret.fi/.
For more information:
Risto Rajala
President
[email protected]
+358 40 056 3080