Optimism Now Resides with Emerging Market Youth

Washington, DC — Citi Foundation commissioned an Ipsos survey to examine the economic prospects and pursuits of young people in 45 cities from 32 countries around the world.

The following findings are based on the voices of the nearly 7,000 young people surveyed. This survey highlights the differences between the developed and the developing world.

These findings illustrate a profound gap between the desire to succeed – which is real and shared among these young people – and the knowledge and opportunity of how to succeed. For a generation experiencing far less economic growth than prior generations, understanding these potential misalignments are as urgent and pressing as ever.

  • This research is part of the Citi Foundation’s Pathways to Progress initiative, designed to boost the employability of young people, ages 16-24, around the globe.
  • Young people (defined as 16-24 year olds) are a significant population representing about 1.2 billion people and 16% of the world’s population.

Findings of the Citi / Ipsos Global Survey:

Achieving “Success”

  • Eight in ten (79%) young people in developing markets believe they will find opportunities to succeed in their preferred career; compared to 64% of their counterparts in developed markets.
  • More than three-quarters say they are doing better relative to their parents at their age in terms of their ability to get an education (83%), their ability to achieve their professional goals (78%), their access to quality health care (77%), and their opportunities for professional success (77%).

Home Ownership & Location

  • Young people are far less optimistic about their ability to afford a home (57%) relative to their parents at their age.
  • Perhaps this “opportunity gap” is a motivating factor behind the mobility of young people. A quarter (24%) of young people surveyed have moved within the last 5 years, citing more or better education opportunities (40%) and more work opportunities (36%) as the reasons for moving.

Access to Education & Training

  • Globally, 67% of young people believe that a university education is needed to be successful. However, just as many (69%) see education as beyond their financial means.
  • Eight in ten young people (78%) agree that apprenticeships and internships are critical to their career success.

Be Your Own Boss Generation

  • The entrepreneurial spirit is strong in all of the surveyed cities, with seven in ten (69%) of young people dreaming of starting their own business.
    • Additionally, 70% of young people say that owning their own business is a better path to success than working for someone else.
    • More than three quarters of young people are willing to work long hours (76%) and think it’s worth taking risks to achieve their dream (82%).

Topline results are available for download.

These are the findings from a study conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Citi Foundation. The survey was conducted online between November 2016 and January 2017 among 6,894 respondents, age 18-24 years old in 45 cities around the globe. Approximately 150 interviews were conducted in each city. Data was weighted to the local adult population of 18-24 year olds on gender, age, and household income. In the US, race/ethnicity was also included in the weighting scheme. Five hundred young people age 18-24 were interviewed across the United States to provide a national view of this population.

The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval. A poll of 1,000 interviews is accurate to +/- 3.1 percentage points; a poll of 500 interviews to +/- 4.5; and a poll of 150 interviews to +/- 9.1. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Chris Jackson
Vice President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
202.420.2011
[email protected]

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks third in the global research industry.

With offices in 88 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media, customer loyalty, marketing, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,669.5 ($2,218.4 million) in 2014.

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