Two years ago, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Türkiye conducted an extensive survey to evaluate the social and political opinions of the Turkish youth. Following the positive reception of the 2021 Turkish Youth Survey, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Türkiye decided to prepare an updated version for 2023, outlined in this summary.
This year’s Turkish Youth Study approached 2,140 participants aged 18-25 from 16 provinces. As indicated by its subtitle, the study primarily focuses on the Turkish Youth’s Views on Politics, the Economic Situation, and Migration. Additionally, it covers topics such as participation, activism and international politics as well as questions about cultural, religious, and social preferences. As a result, the study provides a comprehensive overview on the major trends and shared opinions among the young generation in Türkiye, coinciding with the 100th year of the Republic.
To facilitate a comparison with the first edition of the Turkish Youth Study, relevant segments from the 2021 volume are annexed at the end of this executive summary.
Indeed, understanding the perspectives of the Turkish youth, the so-called “Generation Z” (1997-2005), is crucial for policymakers, academics, and journalists to develop policies and strategies that can effectively address the challenges faced by the country. The fact that almost five million young Turks were eligible to vote for the first time in the 2023 election highlights the significance of their opinions and attitudes. Moreover, given that the youth represents the future of the country, it is essential to identify their convictions, aspirations, and concerns devising resilient and inclusive policies that can shape Türkiye’s future.
