The majority of young Cypriots and Greeks believe that they have been marginalised and excluded from economic and social life by the economic crisis, according to a Eurobarometer survey, conducted ahead of the 2014 European Parliament elections.
The European Parliament has carried out an opinion survey among young Europeans aged 16-30 in the 28 EU Member States The survey addresses in turn the five main themes of European Youth Event (EYE) 2014, an event which will be held in Strasbourg on 9-11 May: youth and employment, the digital revolution, the future of the EU, sustainable development and European values.
A total of 79% of young Cypriots and 87% in Greece said they have been marginalised due to the economic crisis. The average in the EU was 57%.
Fifty-one percent of Cypriots replied in the affirmative to a question if due to the crisis they feel forced to go to another EU country to study or work while 49% said no.
Asked which they believe are the greatest challenges the EU and their country faces in the next years and need to be handled, a total of 64% Cypriots said unemployment, 26% said tax evasion, 25% said illegal immigration, 20% said social imbalances and 16% said public debt.
To a question which are the best ways of participating effectively in public life in the EU, 33% Cypriots said voting in the European elections, 46% said individually helping the most needy, 19% said taking part in political debates in websites or social media of the European institutions while 15% advocated participation in public life and joining political parties.
Thirty-five percent of Cypriots want to start their own business but know it is too difficult and only 8% started their own business and 4% tried to start. Fifteen percent said they plan to try to start their own business in the next years.
As far as social media and public life, 44% of Cypriots believe they represent progress for democracy because they allow everyone to take part in public debates while 36% expressed the opposite view, that they believe they represent a risk for democracy because of the inappropriate use that may be made of personal data.