15 points that show how we feel about our lives

With the Generations Barometer 2023, the Swiss research institute Sotomo shows what moves people in Switzerland today. We picked out 15 points and show how the different generations think about it, from working life to the extension of conscription to women to the relationship model.

After the Covid-19 measures divided society in the last generation barometer in 2021, the difference between rich and poor is now at the top of the list when it comes to distinguishing Switzerland. Only then does the political orientation follow.

It is striking that this year, especially 18 to 25-year-olds see society drifting apart. This picture is clearly decreasing in the older generations.

Poor, elderly, left-wing women living in rural areas are considered to be the most sensitive people. According to the generation barometer, women are generally considered to be particularly sensitive, while the rich are not at all.

It is striking how much the self-perception and external perception differ. Young people are the most balanced. For women/men, urban/rural populations, this doesn’t look very balanced anymore.

There is a very large discrepancy, especially in self-evaluation and that of others from both political camps and between rich and poor:

At the age of 25, each person receives a one-time payment of CHF 120,000 as “starting capital for adult life”? The idea of ​​the French economist Thomas Piketty wants to counter wealth inequality with “inheritance for all”.

In Switzerland, more than half are critical of this idea. In the subcategories, only people with a higher level of education barely support such a model.

Should conscription for men be extended to community service for men and women aged 18 and over? Instead of military service, for example, you could do nursing for the elderly.

This idea is becoming increasingly popular with 18 to 25 year olds. In the current study, 58 percent were in favour, and 13 more were in favour. The idea is generally well received by older students as well, with nearly 75 percent approval.

Another reform idea is receiving almost equal support. The ‘working life’ is about the fact that people who start working later also have to retire later.

About two-thirds think it’s a good idea. What is striking is that agreement has increased, especially among the youngest population group since the last measurement.

Compared to 2020, overall satisfaction has increased from 83 to 89 percent. The share of ‘very satisfied’ is clearly highest among the over-55s. Younger generations, on the other hand, are only “quite satisfied”.

The year 2052 is not very rosy for all age groups. Especially the 18 to 25 year olds tend to paint in black. But also among the older generations, about two-thirds believe that our lives will not be any better in 30 years’ time.

After all, the youngest generation still believes that they have a major influence on the future of society. The older people get, the smaller they see their chances.

Only slightly more than half (52 percent) of all Swiss think it is important to behave in an environmentally sustainable manner. This is even a small decrease compared to previous years.

In fact, the self-assessment of actual behavior shows that many in climate action still live below the climate consciousness. 71 percent of young people in particular know that sustainability is important, but only 42 percent of them describe their own lifestyle as climate-friendly.

Almost every fifth person can imagine an open relationship or a relationship with several people. At 25 percent, this idea is still the most popular among men.

Let’s take a closer look here. Among women, 18 to 35 year olds are the most likely to envision open relationships. Among men, it is 46 to 55-year-olds who agree with such a model with 35 percent. Remarkably, an open relationship is the least popular among women in this age group.

If you could choose: would you take money or leisure? Demand divides society. Overall, 56 percent (highest value) of women would prefer leisure, while 53 percent of men would prefer money.

When it comes to whether it’s money or leisure, it pays to look at gender and life stages. Money is more important to young women (18 to 25 years old) than to men of the same age. However, this changes in the course of life. Women over the age of 55 value leisure time more than money, with men the trend is in the opposite direction.