Sociologists Portray Young Ukrainians

Ukrainian sociologists are monitoring the younger generation with special attention. The reasons are obvious: this generation determines the future of the Ukrainian nation, meaning that the younger people’s priorities, views, and moods are very important, particularly where they will apply their knowledge and energy: in Ukraine or abroad. Last Thursday, a team of sociologists presented a report on a youth poll carried in November 2002 by the Democratic Initiatives Fund and Kyiv International Institute of Social Studies, in line with the project “Ukraine’s First Free Generation: Who are They?” Commentaries provided by 519 respondents aged 16-34 allow to form a more or less comprehensive idea about the Ukrainian youth.

Most of them are employed (54%), just as most received jobs other than those they had expected when studying at school, college, or university. This is particularly true of young workers (68%) and office employees lacking professional training (71%). Most respondents found themselves doing their current jobs due to financial and economic reasons (e.g., good pay and the fact that the enterprise where a given young man intended to work or was employed closed or lost subsidization). Most young people (69%) seriously consider getting unemployed in the next couple of years. In most cases Ukrainian young people spend their leisure watching television (76%) or in company with friends or relatives (46%). Such percentage is most likely well to be expected, considering that friends, relatives, and the media (also the Church and health institutions) are best trusted by the younger generation. Political parties and state institutions are trusted the least. This must explain the younger generation’s remarkable public passivity; 90% of the respondents stated they were not involved in or with any volunteer organizations; only 1.5% admitted they were into some political activities.

In the foreign political sphere, the younger Ukrainians attach priority to European integration (39%) and orientation toward Russia (37%). Some 11% would want to leave Ukraine never to return; 38% would like to spend some time abroad (preferably in Germany or US), so they could find good jobs (59%) or just see the world (35%).