Final report on the Jena Youth Study is available

After the most important results of the Jena Youth Study were published in May, the detailed final report is now available. This can be read on the city's website at
https://bildung.jena.de/de/kinder-und-jugendstudie

The administration's statement can also be found here. It classifies the results and draws conclusions. The findings will be incorporated into future planning.

About the youth study

The psychological stress levels of pupils in Jena have risen sharply and their trust in our democratic system is dwindling. These are two of the many findings of the Jena Youth Study, which was presented to the public on May 7, 2025. From mid-October 2024 to the end of January 2025, pupils aged between ten and 18 in Jena were asked to answer questions about their life situation, leisure activities, nutrition, democracy and politics, problems and career orientation. The anonymously collected data helps, among other things, to adapt leisure activities to needs, provide contact persons for problems, plan youth projects and facilities and further develop school social work.

The study has produced some very positive findings, sums up Johannes Schleußner, Head of Education.

"Our children and young people in Jena are more active in sports than average and spend much more of their free time together than alone."

However, there are also worrying developments that represent a clear challenge for our urban society. Schleußner cites one important conclusion:

"The feedback on dealing with loneliness, social media and the topic of drugs shows us that the existing educational offers should be continued and accompanied by preventative projects to strengthen social skills."