Economic instability and housing costs drive shifts in Generation Z attitudes

Economic pressures, particularly regarding housing and cost of living, are driving a shift in political attitudes among Generation Z. In the United States, surveys indicate that 21 percent of young adults aged 18 to 29 support socialism, with support for democratic socialism reaching 29 percent. This trend is linked to the perception that the free market no longer provides reliable paths to homeownership, family stability, or wealth accumulation.

In Slovakia, the housing crisis is specifically impacting families. Data from the Real Estate Union of the Slovak Republic shows that while prices for smaller apartments have risen sharply due to investment demand, three-bedroom apartments have become a financial trap for families. Even with dual incomes, many households cannot afford the rising costs per square meter, forcing families into smaller living spaces as property prices outpace wage growth.