In recent years, there has been an unprecedented shift in the attitudes of young individuals towards the key economic issues they encounter as they embark on their adult lives. Sociologists have identified two distinct generations, namely Generation Y and Generation Z, which exhibit behaviours contrary to those of their parents and older generations. The reasons behind these shifts are shared across European countries, where these generations have experienced lives characterized by peace, cultural diversity, globalization, economic stability, relative economic and social well-being, as well as parental care and education.

Addressing a gap in the economic literature, this book uniquely bridges the current understanding of youth with empirical evidence specific to Central and Eastern European Countries, represented by Poland and Czechia. Germany was taken as an example of a Western European Country. The novelty lies in identifying the contemporary trends and determinants shaping the decision-making process of young adults regarding the labour market, savings and investments, job satisfaction, retirement, and sustainable consumption. The book draws on a theoretical foundation from both economic and sociological perspectives. The book comprises ten interconnected chapters, each contributing to the central theme of youth intentions and attitudes toward economic/financial issues. The summary is presented from the perspective of contemporary megatrends.

The target audience includes students and researchers in fields related to contemporary economic challenges—such as economics, psychology, and sociology. Given the challenges faced by young adults from post-socialist states, implementing the policy recommendations in the book may contribute to reducing the gap between them and their counterparts in Western European countries. Institutions involved in social policy, including both non-governmental organizations and public entities, will also find the policy implications to be of interest.

Magdalena Osińska is a professor of economics in the Department of Economics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland.