The annual survey by Injep (National Institute for Youth and Popular Education) and Crédoc (Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions) points to a «renewed optimism linked to the resumption of the labor market and the return to normal life».

The year 2022 is characterized by a more positive state of mind than in 2021 (48% of young people questioned use a positive lexical register, 2 points) and above all a clear «decrease in negative expressions»: 33% of those questioned claim to be in a negative mood in 2022, up from 45% last year. 19% declare themselves «neutral», which translates, according to the study, «a form of wait-and-see attitude linked to a context of successive crises».

Another sign of improvement in the morale of young people, 66% of 18-30 year olds say they are «confident in their personal future for the next three years». An increase of 6 points compared to last year.

The study also notes a strengthening of the commitment of young people, in the context of an election year. The volunteer participation of 18-30 year olds has notably reached its highest level since 2016, with 21% of young people who say they give a few hours of their time, every week, to NGOs, political parties, or other organizations.

However, young women are not regaining their pre-crisis morale, and have been more affected than young men by the psychological consequences of the pandemic, according to the study.

In 2022, 41% of young women surveyed say they are in a «positive state of mind», 6 points less than in 2020, compared to 57% of young men, 1 point less than in 2020.

The study also notes the «persistence of a feeling of loneliness»: «36% of young people feel lonely from time to time», an increase of 5 points compared to the pre-pandemic period.

The survey was carried out online from March 14 to April 28, 2022, with a representative sample of 4,512 young people aged 18 to 30 residing in France, selected according to the quota method.