The Youth Helsinki Survey carried out in spring 2026 allowed young people to share their experiences of safety, their hopes for their leisure time and the ways in which they wish to participate the city’s development, among other things. The responses will help develop activities aimed at young people and strengthen their opportunities to participate and have a say.
Safety is an important everyday issue for young people
Safety emerged as one of the key themes of the survey. Young people reported feeling unsafe in particular in the vicinity of intoxicated people, in the evenings and after dark, and on public transport. Metro and train stations were also frequently mentioned in the responses.
In their open-ended survey responses, young people linked a lack of safety to unpredictable behaviour, harassment and situations perceived as threatening in public places, for example. Young people would like to see more safe adults in the city, visible presence and swift intervention in disruptive situations.
Places that were especially frequently mentioned in responses relating to safety concerns included Malmi, Itäkeskus, Kontula, the city centre, Pasila and Sörnäinen. The shopping centres most frequently mentioned were Itis, Tripla and Kamppi.
Young people believe that safety can be improved by keeping the environment tidy, tackling substance abuse in public places and repairing damaged and defaced areas more quickly than at present, for example.
Young people would like more hobbies and places to spend time together
Hobbies and leisure time were one of the main themes of the survey. Young people would like more opportunities to engage in exercise and sports, such as basketball, badminton, football, martial arts, dance and gyms. The responses also highlighted music, art, cooking, theatre, gaming and various events.
Many young people would like their hobbies to be free of charge or affordable. Young people would also like to try out new hobbies without having to make a long-term commitment. Furthermore, the responses highlighted a need for places and activities where young people can meet up with friends and spend time in their own neighbourhood.
Young people want to influence climate issues, equality and wellbeing
More than half of young people in Helsinki feel that they are able to influence matters that are important to them, at least to some extent. The proportion of young people who feel this way rose by 14 percentage points compared to the previous year. The respondents said that they were ready to take action for nature and the climate; human rights and equality; and young people’s mental health and wellbeing in particular.
Young people regarded surveys and polls as easy ways to get involved. They would also like more workshops, discussions and opportunities to participate in decision-making processes at an early stage. A recurring theme in the responses was that young people want to see their views making a difference.
Social media was clearly the most popular way for young people to make their voices heard, with more than half of the respondents feeling that they could influence matters through it.
What is the Youth Helsinki Survey?
The Youth Helsinki Survey is a survey organised by the City of Helsinki Youth Services to collect data on young people’s experiences, needs and wishes. The survey is aimed at students in grades 7–9 studying in Helsinki and carried out in collaboration with lower secondary schools. Responses to the 2026 survey were received from a total of 10,167 young people across Helsinki.
The City’s Youth Services have been collecting data on young people’s experiences via a joint online survey since 2022. Previously, the survey was called the Youth Budget Survey, and it was carried out annually. The revamped Youth Helsinki Survey is carried out every two years. The next survey will be carried out in 2028.