Students during the selectivity test at the Faculty of Biology at the University of Barcelona. MASSIMILIANO MINOCRI
The Catalan independence movement is weak in its prey. A sociological study by the Generalitat shows that the youngest population groups, aged between 16 and 42, are less interested in the transformation of Catalonia into its own state, separate from Spain, than the older ones. These young people, referred to as Millennials and Generation Z, say the current autonomous model is their preferred option to bring Catalonia in line with the rest of Spain. The data comes from a survey carried out by the Center for Opinion Studies (CEO), the Catalan CIS, published this Thursday.
The research is based on questions asked to 6,500 citizens of Catalonia between May and July of this year, a period of high electoral activity since both the municipal elections and the general elections of 23-J took place. The CEO decided to divide respondents by age and distinguish five different groups: Silent Generation (over 78 years old); baby boomers (between 59 and 77 years old); Generation X (between 43 and 58 years old); Millennials (between 27 and 42 years old) and Generation Z (between 16 and 26 years old).
When asked “What should the relationship between Catalonia and Spain look like?”, the preference for independence is only over 30% among Baby Boomers (34%) and Generation X (32%). In these age groups, autonomous Catalonia hardly impresses one in four respondents. The baby boomer generation is also the most inclined to believe that Catalonia could be a state within a federal Spain. However, among the youngest, the results are reversed and autonomy is the preferred option for Millennials (28%) and Generation Z (29%), ahead of independent Catalonia, desired by 26% and 23% respectively. The survey shows that on this issue, young people have more similarities with their grandparents’ generation than with their parents’ generation. Among the silent generation, autonomy receives 33% support, ahead of independent Catalonia’s 27%.
The CEO also asked about each respondent’s political sympathies. The 16 to 43 year olds agree that as the majority option they are distanced from all parties. The PSC is the preferred formation of the Silent Generation and the baby boomers. Junts is the second option for the elders and ERC for the middle-aged people.
The CEO found greater agreement when he asked which party the respondents loathed the most. All age groups show a strong rejection of Vox.
The survey also attempts to explore other areas of thought among Catalan citizens. It turns out that older people aged 43 and over have the prevailing idea that effort in work and study leads to a better life. However, more than 40% of Millennials and Generation Z are skeptical about associating success with effort.
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Another question in the survey seeks to find out what level of complacency inspires the idea that “a natural disaster will wipe out most of humanity, leaving a small group of people to start from scratch.” The topic resonates with more than 20% of the generation’s respondents Z
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