Housing and economic shifts impact Generation Z and Millennials

Younger generations in Central Europe are facing significant socioeconomic challenges, particularly regarding housing and social mobility. In the Czech Republic, Generation Z is experiencing high levels of stress due to an inaccessible housing market. Rental costs in major cities like Prague and Brno have risen sharply; for instance, dormitory and shared room costs have increased from approximately 3,000 CZK to over 9,000 CZK. This has led to delayed independence, with many individuals remaining with parents until their late twenties.

Similarly, Millennials in Poland are finding that the traditional path to stability—obtaining a degree and securing a good job—no longer guarantees the same level of social advancement. While higher education remains statistically beneficial, mass education has diminished the exclusivity of degrees. In Poland, 31% of people aged 25-34 hold a master's degree, significantly higher than the OECD average of 16%. Despite these qualifications, high housing costs and changing labor markets make achieving middle-class stability more difficult than previous generations anticipated.