Young adults positive about Netherlands' future; worried about climate change

Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 in the Netherlands are largely positive about the future of the country. They are less worried by social issues like crime, the multicultural society, population density and the mentality in the Netherlands than the older generations. Their main concern is environmental pollution, Statistics Netherlands revealed on Friday in its annual National Youth Monitor.

The Netherlands counted 1.5 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 last year. The stats office surveyed them about what they think of the country and the social issues it faces. About 70 percent of young adults were positive about the future of the Netherlands, saying the country is moving in the right direction. Of the population aged 25 and older, 60 percent had this opinion.

Young adults' main concern is the state of the natural world. 44.8 percent called environmental pollution a big or very big problem. That is slightly less than the 47.8 percent of the population 25 or older, but more young adults think that pollution and the problems it causes is a very big problem than older adults - 11 percent compared to 8 percent.

Other social issues worry young adults less than the older population. 30.4 percent think that crime is a big to very big problems, compared to 52.7 percent of the older generations. The multicultural society worries 13.9 percent of young adults, compared to 21.3 percent of older adults. The mentality in the Netherlands and the population density are big problems for 24.7 percent and 19 percent of young adults respectively. While 30.4 percent and 26.9 percent of older Dutch are worried about it.

Young adults also largely have a high personal wellbeing. 90 percent of young adults score their education or job 7 or higher, 84 percent give the same score for their health and 85 percent for their social life. Young adults also largely feel safe and are often satisfied with their neighborhoods. They are relatively often worried about their financial future (52.4 percent) and have relatively little trust in institutions (52.3 percent).