UNICEF's annual summer survey has shown for many years that people on low incomes are the least optimistic about summer. The same could be expected in this year's study. However, it was found that even people with higher incomes are more pessimistic about the upcoming summer and whether it will be as good as the previous one.
In the group with the lowest household income households in Norway more than half of respondents say that tightening finances will have a negative impact on the summer, and almost three in five people believe that summer will not be better for their children.
“It's no surprise that people on the lowest incomes are having a hard time with the summer months. It is among them that the greatest fear of summer is observed, and most of them find it difficult to give their children a pleasant holiday. However, this year we also see a slight increase in concern even among higher income groups, says Kristin Oudmayer, director of UNICEF Norway for Children's Rights and Sustainable Development.
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In the group with the highest household income, 34 percent of respondents said tightening finances would have a negative impact on the coming summer. This represents an increase of 6 percentage points compared to the previous year.
In the same group, every fifth person answered that they did not think that children had a better summer than last year. This represents an increase of 4 percentage points from 2022.
The survey also found that families with older children in particular believe the summer will be difficult. 21 per cent of those in this group responded that they felt unable to give their children the holidays they deserve. At the same time, in the group with younger children it is 14 percent. Every fourth person in this group is also afraid that this summer will not be better than the previous one, and half believe that tighter finances have a negative impact on this.
“Families with older children are probably more aware of expectations and pressures from the world around them. They fear that their children will not have the same exciting experiences as their peers. Perhaps they also feel that it takes more effort to keep their kids interesting than when they were younger, says Oudmayer.
Often very little is needed
The study shows that almost half of the population would stand up for a child who needs good holiday memories if given the opportunity. However, only one in three people with children replied that they would probably take up such an offer. Oudmayer encourages everyone to lower the threshold of both helping and accepting the possibility of great experiences for children.
─ There is no doubt that asking for help or accepting help from others can be difficult. But I encourage everyone who has the opportunity to use it. Often, little is needed to give your child good holiday memories, says Oudmayer.
About the survey
The survey was conducted by YouGov, an analytical institute. In the period from May 31 to June 4, 2023, a total of 1005 CAWI interviews were conducted with people aged 18+. In addition, an additional number of interviews were conducted with people with children living in their own homes. As a result, the total number of families with children represented in the study is 404.
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Source: Unicef Norway
