Ombudsman: Roughly Three-quarters of Young People Considering Leaving Slovakia

Casta-Papiernicka, 21 March (TASR) - Approximately three-quarters of young people aged 16 and 17 are considering leaving Slovakia, while 42.3 percent of those wanting to leave don't plan to return in the future, according to a recent survey presented by Children's Ombudsman Jozef Miklosko at a session of the Parliament of Children and Youth held at Parliament's Casta-Papiernicka accommodation facility earlier this week. The survey, which involved 10,200 young respondents, was conducted in cooperation with Trnava University. "Every year, based on communication with young people, the Children's Ombudsman's Office picks a topic that they are most concerned about. Last year we focused on better relationships because they were most worried about mental health. This year, again based on communication, we've figured out that the issue of young people leaving to go abroad, whether on a long-term basis or for studies, has resonated the most," Miklosko told TASR. According to the survey, 38.3 percent of young people definitely want to move abroad after completing secondary school or later, while a further 37.1 percent are considering this idea or are positively inclined towards it. The most frequent reasons cited include higher salaries abroad, better working conditions, a higher standard of living, as well as better conditions for starting a family. Nearly 62 percent of respondents do not believe that conditions for young people in Slovakia will improve. Miklosko pointed to relationship issues highlighted by the research, namely poor relations in society (89.6 percent), in the family (89.2 percent), in school (87.5 percent), and in politics (71.8 percent). He also said that young people are troubled by loneliness and negativism. Conversely, among the biggest advantages of staying in Slovakia are family (93 percent), friends (92.9 percent), nature (82.8 percent) and community (79.5 percent). Young people are least satisfied with salaries (75.7 percent), the way in which the state and authorities function (70.5 percent), and the availability of housing (69.3 percent), while nearly a third of young people are dissatisfied with access to psychological support. Conversely, the survey revealed that 62.8 percent are proud to be Slovak and 80.4 percent consider Slovakia to be their home. jrg/df/mf