Living costs, housing, job uncertainty fuel European youth anger

Across Europe, young people are protesting in anger over soaring living costs, job insecurity, and distrust in traditional institutions. The protests have taken place in France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Germany, with tens of thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets. While local grievances have fueled the movement, shared continent-wide issues such as expensive housing, low wages, and the climate crisis have united the movements.

School and university students have been at the forefront of the protests, demanding better facilities and an end to opaque university admissions systems.

The French protests began in mid-September when high school students demanded improved facilities and a more transparent university admissions system. These protests quickly grew, drawing at least 550,000 people on October 17th. However, the demonstrations turned violent in some instances, with reports of looting, arson, and clashes with police. The unrest spread to Greece, where over 10,000 people rallied across several cities, displaying placards in both Greek and French.

Across Europe, people are facing a failing system, says Belgian sociologist Geoffrey Pleyers. Many are offered only low-paying jobs, if any, and their studies no longer guarantee a standard of living comparable to that of their parents. Rising rents and unequal wealth distribution are central issues in many protests, particularly in Spain, Portugal, and Greece.

Political scientist Mariam Martinez-Bascunan suggests that discontent is more driven by uncertainty than poverty, citing the contagious effect of images from France and Portugal's protests.

Young people are acutely aware of the burden of debt and environmental problems inherited from previous generations, leading to a sense of being sacrificed. In Germany, the possibility of reintroducing military service amid tensions with Russia has also spurred protests. The youth demonstrations have resonated with the wider public, coinciding with upcoming elections in several European countries.

The protests have highlighted growing inequalities and a widespread feeling of being disconnected from the state, with young people from privileged backgrounds enjoying more comfortable lives compared to those from more precarious backgrounds.