Young people on influence and politics

Only 5 per cent, amongst both younger and older people, consider they are able to influence political decisions. That is shown in the Swedish National Board for Youth Affairs' study Young People with Attitude from 2007.

The Swedish National Board for Youth Affairs undertakes regular attitude and value surveys. Both young and older people reply to questions on attitudes to becoming an adult, leisure, work, politics, diversity issues, gender equality, health etc. The 2007 study Young People with Attitude focused on 6 000 persons in the age-range of 16–29 years and 1 500 in the age-range of 35–74 years.

Only 5 per cent, amongst both younger and older people, consider they are able to influence political decisions. On the other hand 57 per cent of younger people believe they can influence the choice of their education and 26 per cent that they can influence their housing situation. Amongst older people, 58 per cent deemed that they can influence their housing.

Individuals with a higher educational qualification and who are interested in politics believe to the greatest extent that their voice is heard in the community.

Interest in politics
The interest in politics appears to increase with age, 27 per cent of the young are interested in politics in general whereas 36 per cent of older people are. Of the young people 38 per cent are also interested in community or society issues compared with 51 per cent of older people.

About 4 per cent of the young and 6–7 per cent of the older respondents are members of political parties. Amongst the young, 44 per cent can envisage being a member of a political party and 8 per cent answer that they are, or have been, members.

The most important political issues for young people are - according to the answers in the survey - work, school, health care and the environment. For older people it is health care, school, work and care of the elderly.

Younger people agree to a lesser extent than older people with the statement that the gap between established politicians and ordinary citizens has become greater, 53 per cent compared with 74 per cent.