Young People and the Future of Scotland: young person's guide to the findings

What did we find?

At the workshops young people discussed five big topics:

Climate and Environment

Economy and Jobs

Politics and Government

Society and Communities

Health and Habits

Technology and fairness – in terms of access to services, economic opportunities and environmental justice – were important ideas that young people talked about in many different parts of the workshop.

The section below gives more detail about what the young people who took part in the workshop said about each of the topics.

Theme 1: Climate and Environment

What young people want: The young people want Scotland to lead the way in protecting nature and creating green jobs. Some called for solutions that tackle the root causes of climate change. They want to see big changes in how we build houses, plan transport and use energy.

What worries young people: Some young people feel a sense of urgency. They worry that if we do not act now, Scotland could face serious problems, like extreme weather or loss of the places they love. They were concerned that some communities might not get enough help, and thought that some areas might be hit harder by climate disasters, such as flooding.

How it all links: Young people see climate action as helping to create a fairer society with better housing and transport for everyone.

Theme 2: Economy and Jobs

What young people want: The young people want a fair economy where everyone has a chance to succeed. They believe that living costs and housing should be more affordable. Some also support a fairer tax system so money is shared more evenly among everyone. Many are excited about the idea of green industries and new types of jobs.

What worries young people: They worry that today’s economy is unfair. Many are concerned about the high costs for living and housing and want quick solutions like using empty buildings to make more homes.

Young people are both worried and hopeful about how technology might change the world and work. They want technology to help workers rather than replace them.

How it all links: Young people see a strong link between a fair economy and a healthy environment. For example, they thought that fair wealth distribution might help fund projects to protect nature and support communities.

Theme 3: Politics and Government

What young people want: Young people want everyone to have a say in how things are run. They want more openness from politicians and for different voices – including more young people – to be heard when big decisions are made.

Many suggested making political education and digital safety a core part of school learning. They thought this could help build trust and strengthen democracy. Some proposed ideas like lowering the voting age or making voting compulsory.

Young people also want strong public services like healthcare, education and transport. Some said they might be willing to pay more to help keep these services running well.

What worries young people: Many felt their voices are sometimes ignored by leaders and decision-makers. They worry a lot about the spread of false information online, which can make it hard for people to know what is true. Young people fear that without big changes, essential services like healthcare or education might suffer. Some are also nervous about how global events, such as wars or economic changes, might affect Scotland.

How it all links: Learning about politics in school helps young people make better choices and makes them better at spotting fake news. When decision-makers pay attention to everyone’s ideas, it builds trust in government and public services. Strong public services mean that people can live healthier lives.

Theme 4: Society and Community

What young people want: The young people were hopeful for a future where everyone is treated equally and with respect. They want education to be better and more connected to real-life skills. Many are keen for more progress on gender equality, but some feel that change is too slow.

What worries young people: Some worry we aren’t getting the balance right between offline and online life and we risk disagreeing too much online instead of coming together to discuss and solve problems. Digital life, while offering connection, also brings problems like cyberbullying, isolation and misinformation. Migration was generally viewed as being positive for Scotland, but the potential loss of local identity due to climate change and migration was worrying for some.

How it all links: The young people see education, digital trends and community trends as influencing each other. For example, they said better education can help fight fake news and support mental wellbeing.

Theme 5: Health and Habits

What young people want: A major priority is the need for well-funded health services. Young people want better NHS support for mental health, including more accessible services in schools and less stigma around getting help. They were worried about vaping and drugs and wanted better education on these. Some said they wanted to see less stigma around drug use, with greater focus on looking after people, rather than blaming them.

What worries young people: They worry about both their current and future health. Mental health and access to support for mental health problems were a big concern. Young people notice that digital life changes their social connections and can lead to negative issues like poor sleep and loneliness. Some are uncertain about how new habits, like vaping, will impact society.

How it all links: Young people see a need for strong support systems, especially in-person, and better public services to create a future where everyone can be healthy.

Connected challenges

In the workshops, young people saw a connection between future challenges facing Scotland and think government policy should reflect this better. They feel big changes are essential. For example, young people suggested:

• Making political and digital education part of the school curriculum
• Adopting fair economic policies that respond to climate change and protect everyone in society
• Increased funding for public services
• Social reforms that promote equality and inclusion.