Slovakia and Czech Republic see widening generational divide over the future

In Slovakia, reporters interviewed seniors on streets in Bratislava, Trnava and other cities, asking why young people blame them for the country's problems. Many respondents expressed frustration, such as a 71‑year‑old man who said, "We have worked all our lives and can barely pay for medicines, yet we are blamed for the state of the nation." Others acknowledged that both generations share responsibility and called for more dialogue.

A separate analysis of the Czech Republic notes that young people feel demotivated to build lasting projects because of severe economic pressures. High housing prices, low starting salaries, and a bureaucratic environment are described as “an unaffordable wall” that erodes the incentive to work long‑term. The piece also highlights the impact of social‑media comparison, bureaucratic hurdles for startups, and a cultural mismatch in how older generations assess ambition, all contributing to a sense of hopelessness among Czech youth.