Mental and physical health is the top priority for young adults in Austria, according to a new survey on the well-being of Europeans.
The study, International Research on the Health Status of Young Europeans, conducted by pharmaceutical company Merck, surveyed 9,329 people, including 630 from Austria.
It found that economic concerns and working conditions were the biggest factors affecting emotional well-being.
In Austria, 43.5% of respondents said they were worried about the “economic situation”, compared to 53.9% globally. Meanwhile, “pay and working conditions” were a concern for 42.7% of young people in Austria – 5.7% lower than the global average.
Climate Crisis and Family Aspirations
Austrian respondents also highlighted concerns over the climate crisis. Some 12.7% of women and 14.6% of men said they hoped the crisis would be resolved. Among Generation Z (aged 20 to 26), the figure rose to 16.9%, compared to 11.9% among Millennials (aged 27 to 37).
Starting a family was the second most common aspiration, with 15.8% of women and 12.7% of men saying they wanted children.
Health Concerns and AI Scepticism
The survey also revealed significant worries about health. Some 44% of women and 36.3% of men said they often or very often felt physically unwell. When it came to emotional distress, the difference between genders was more pronounced – 42.2% of men and 63% of women reported experiencing frequent emotional discomfort.
On healthcare improvements, Austrian respondents prioritised greater support and concrete programmes for carers. Internationally, the focus was on equal access to innovative treatments. Both Generation Z and Millennials expressed doubts about AI being used to make medical diagnoses.
Social Media and Fake News
Austrian respondents largely viewed the impact of social media negatively. Some 56% said they believed social media use led to distrust due to fake news.
Women were more likely than men to feel “inadequate” because of social media, particularly regarding appearance, achievements and lifestyle. Some 52.2% of women said they had experienced this effect, compared to 41.2% of men.
