Nearly half of the respondents identify deepening inequality as the top economic trend shaping the future. Young people in Europe and North America are acutely aware of widening wealth gaps and diminishing social safety nets; last year’s survey found that 64% felt worse off than their parents.2 In Sub-Saharan Africa3 and South Asia,4 by contrast, many point to growing entrepreneurship as the most powerful economic force, reflecting regional confidence in innovation and self-determination despite persistent structural constraints. Financial insecurity ranks as the top personal source of stress, with 57% of survey respondents citing inflation and instability as the greatest threats to their lives. These concerns mirror global patterns: over 70% of young workers are in informal, insecure or low-wage employment,5 and cost-of-living pressures are identified by the “Global Risks Report 2025” as a major driver of social unrest.6Finding agency amid widening divides Economic trends shaping the future FIGURE 1 0 10 20 30 40 50Which economic trends do you think will shape the future most?* Growing inequality between the rich and poor Increasing cost of living and housing Growing gap between education and job market needs Global economic instability Rise of entrepreneurship More remote work and ﬂexible job opportunities Expansion sustainable industries Wider support for ethical and impactful business Negative economic trends Positive economic trends48.2% 46.3% 42.7% 39.6% 34.1% 28.0% 26.1% 13.6% Note: *Respondents were asked to select up to three Youth Pulse 2026: Insights from the next generation for a changing world 9