8th April 2025
The attention of Lithuanian youth is primarily focused on the cost of living, housing prices, and security, yet human rights and equality remain important as well. These trends were revealed by the “Eurobarometer” survey, in which young people from across the European Union shared their views on the values of democracy, key challenges, and their expectations for the future.
Disinformation and Decreasing Tolerance Seen as Threats
One in three young people in Lithuania says that respect for human rights is one of the most important principles of democracy for them. One-fifth emphasize equality and non-discrimination. Additionally, 18% of the country’s youth consider inequality to be one of the main challenges faced by the EU.
When asked which values best represent the EU for them, one in four young Lithuanians choose respect for human rights, and almost as many respondents see cultural diversity as an important value.
Speaking about the greatest threats to democracy in the EU, young people in Lithuania highlight false and/or misleading information both online and offline (43%), insufficient regulation of technology (29%), economic insecurity and inequality (28%), and a decline in the level of tolerance and respect in society (26%).
Strengthening Human Rights Among Future Priorities
Survey authors asked young people what changes they would like to see in the EU by 2030. In Lithuania, 33% of surveyed youth would like better employment opportunities and economic stability, 27% want to see a stronger EU role in promoting peace and global security, 24% say they would like to see strengthened policies on human rights and democracy, and 23% say they want more attention paid to social inequality and inclusion issues in the future.
“The survey covered a wide range of topics, and on many issues, young people prioritize EU values such as freedom of movement and expression, as well as economic security. They see the cost of living and the influence of disinformation as the most pressing problems. However, it’s important to emphasize that even in these turbulent times, Lithuanian youth do not forget the importance of ensuring human rights and equal opportunities. We often hear arguments claiming that it’s ‘too early’ or ‘not the time’ to address certain human rights questions due to the geopolitical situation. Yet it is clear that the younger generation is already viewing the country’s future in a more complex way — through various lenses, striving to ensure both security and human rights. This is especially important in today’s context, where human rights are increasingly becoming targets of disinformation aimed at manipulating public opinion,” says Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson Birutė Sabatauskaitė.
The “Eurobarometer” survey was conducted in February 2025, involving nearly 26,000 EU residents aged 16 to 30.