Luxembourg's youth are turning away from socialising

A comprehensive 260-page report published on Monday paints a picture of a generation that is increasingly distancing itself from traditional forms of leisure and personal communication. Minister of National Education Claude Meisch noted a significant decline in the number of spontaneous meetings among the country's 16- to 29-year-olds. While in 2019 only 3% of young people admitted that they never see their friends, by 2024 this figure had doubled.

Experts attribute this prolonged decline to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has shaped new consumption and communication habits. Social isolation has affected not only private gatherings, but also visits to public places:

• 44.7% of respondents said they never visit bars or restaurants (compared to 36% in 2019).
• Over 90% of respondents ignore specialised clubs and youth centres (maisons des jeunes).
• Seven out of ten young people do not engage in music, and about half show no interest in manual labour, art or active training.

Instead of active leisure activities or hobbies, young people in Luxembourg choose passive relaxation. More than half of the study participants admitted that they spend more than 10 days a month just "chilling" — relaxing without any specific activity. Paradoxically, against the backdrop of growing social distance, anxiety levels among young people continue to rise, and the need for support from friends remains high, despite the virtual absence of meetings.

Although digital technologies allow us to stay connected, experts emphasise that online communication cannot fully replace physical presence and joint activities. The decline in interest even in simple things such as walking outdoors indicates profound shifts in the structure of everyday life for the new generation, which the state has yet to comprehend in the context of educational and social programmes.