Recent discussions on energy equity have highlighted an essential point: to design fair and effective policies, we must first understand who is affected by energy poverty, how, and why. As outlined in previous contributions to this thematic focus, vulnerability to energy poverty is shaped by a combination of socio-economic, housing, and systemic factors, and it cannot be addressed through one-size-fits-all solutions.
One group that remains largely absent from energy poverty data and policy discussions is young people.
Why youth perspectives are missing
Young people are rarely identified as a distinct group in energy poverty statistics. Most European indicators rely on household-level data, which often masks the realities of young adults who live in shared housing, rent energy-inefficient homes, or remain partially dependent on their families. As a result, the specific challenges faced by people aged 18–35 tend to remain invisible, even when they experience high energy costs, limited control over housing conditions, or unstable incomes.
This lack of visibility has concrete consequences. When youth are not recognised in data, they are less likely to be considered in policy design, eligibility criteria for support schemes, or targeted communication efforts. For example, during the height of the energy crisis, the Netherlands introduced a one-time energy allowance of 1,300 euros which excluded tenants of shared housing. As a result, many students could not access the scheme, despite falling in the scheme’s target group of demographics most affected by rising energy costs.
Equity requires as well that policies reflect the diverse realities and life circumstances of individuals, including those linked to age and life stage.
Understanding the target group as a foundation for equity
Developing equitable actions means starting from a clear understanding of the target group. For young people, this includes recognising specific structural constraints: limited decision-making power over energy contracts, dependence on landlords for energy efficiency improvements, and lower access to subsidies that are often designed around household ownership or long-term residence.
To better capture these realities, the Young Energy Consumers Task Force of the European Youth Energy Network (EYEN) adopted a mixed-methods approach. First, more than 150 qualitative interviews were conducted with young people and grassroots youth organisations across Europe. These conversations revealed recurring issues such as unclear energy bills, lack of transparency from landlords, and the impact of energy costs on mental well-being and housing stability.
Building on these insights, a large-scale quantitative survey was launched in 2024–2025 to systematically document how young people experience energy poverty across different national contexts.
Explore the YEC Survey Dashboard
From lived experience to actionable evidence
The survey reached over 4,700 young people aged 18–35 across nine European countries, making it one of the largest datasets of its kind focusing specifically on youth and energy poverty. By combining socio-economic variables with questions on housing conditions, energy use, access to support schemes, and perceived vulnerability, the survey provides evidence that goes beyond traditional indicators.
This approach enables a more nuanced understanding of youth vulnerability, not as a fixed category, but as a condition shaped by housing markets, labour precarity, and institutional design. Importantly, it also allows for cross-country comparison, highlighting where existing policies succeed or fail in reaching younger energy consumers.
Enabling better policy through better data
Recognising youth as a relevant group in energy poverty discussions is not about creating new labels, but about improving policy effectiveness and equity. When data reflects lived realities, policymakers can design measures that are more accessible, better targeted, and more inclusive.
The experience of engaging directly with young people, through interviews, surveys, and participatory research, demonstrates that equitable energy action starts with listening. By making youth experiences visible in data and analysis, we take a necessary step toward energy systems that work for everyone, across generations.
Details
- Publication date
- 4 June 2026