Gen Z Gender Divide

Despite being one of the world’s most gender-equal countries, Sweden exhibits one of Europe’s sharpest gender divides among Generation Z. 

Join us for a morning discussion on what is shaping the political attitudes of Generation Z – and what the emerging gender divide means for the future of gender equality and democracy. 

Drawing on European Social Survey Data across the EU and beyond, as well as focus groups with young people in Germany, Greece, Poland, Spain and Sweden, this policy study offers a more nuanced answer. It shows that gender differences among young Europeans are real but uneven across countries and issues. The clearest gaps appear in ideological self-placement and attitudes towards gender equality, while differences in voting behaviour are less pronounced than public debate often suggests. 

Rather than a simple cultural clash between young women and men, the study reveals a generation shaped by shared insecurity: rising living costs; housing pressures; unstable labour markets; climate anxiety; and weakening trust in political institutions. It argues that the emerging divide is best understood not as a deep ideological rupture, but as a reflection of precarity, uncertainty and contested interpretations of gender equality, as well as the different importance young women and men attach to it, despite the principle itself remaining broadly shared.

By linking gender equality to economic security, social protection, mental wellbeing, inclusive social norms and effective governance, this project findings sets out forward-looking recommendations for rebuilding trust, opportunity and democratic resilience across generations. Over a light breakfast, we will present the findings of the comparative study and the Swedish country report, followed by a discussion with an expert panel.

Programme

21st October 2026 
Venue: ABF, Sveavägen 41 (Brantingrummet)
Language: English

08:00 Coffee and a sandwich 
08:15 Welcome 
08:20 European results Matteo Dressler, Policy Analyst, FEPS 
08:30 Findings of the Swedish country report, Megan Rådesjö, author and Ph.D, Gothenburg University 

Comments: Expert Panel 
Lotta Wiechel, Secretary-General, the Social Democratic Youth League (SSU) 
Sigge Eriksson, President, National Council of Swedish Youth Organizations (LSU) 

09:25 Questions from the audience 
09:30 End of seminar

Moderation: 
Magnus Bjerg Strum, Content producer at the Thinktank Katalys Discussion