First-of-its-kind initiative by a business school captures how more than 900 students and recent graduates experience life on the continent
ESCP Business School has published the results of its first Live, Learn & Love in Europe survey, offering a candid portrait of how young people experience, navigate and envision life on the continent.
The findings reveal a generation that values Europe deeply, particularly for its quality of life, cultural richness, career opportunities and social openness. They also point to clear challenges: high living costs, housing difficulties, perceptions of hierarchical workplaces and divided trust in European institutions.
Running annually from 2026 to 2030, the survey is part of ESCP’s ambition to listen to the next generation of leaders in Europe and support the School’s development into the European University of Management as part of the Bold & United strategic plan.
By listening deeply to our students and recent graduates, we gain a clearer understanding of how they experience Europe — its opportunities, its tensions and its promise. That insight will inform our strategic vision, help evolve the student experience and support our mission to prepare the accountable, bold and creative leaders Europe needs.
Prof. Francesco RattalinoExecutive Vice-President in charge of Academic Affairs and Student Experience
Key findings
The survey captured responses from over 900 students and recent graduates aged 18 to 35 across ESCP's six European campuses and several programmes on how they experience Europe academically, professionally, socially and personally. Four themes emerge:
Europe remains highly attractive despite economic pressures
91% of respondents say they are satisfied with the quality of life in Europe, while 90% say they are likely to work in Europe after their studies. However, 94% consider Europe expensive to live in and 63% report difficulties finding accommodation.
Young people are choosing Europe for balance, values and opportunity
Work-life balance is the top reason respondents want to build careers in Europe (46%), ahead of career opportunities and shared values. More than half (52%) also envision starting a business in Europe, rising to 87% among Bachelor students.
A strong European identity is evident among students
Nearly 89% of respondents say they feel aligned with the European way of life. Students describe Europe as a place of freedom, cooperation and multiculturalism, with many seeing it as both a home and a space of opportunity.
Social openness does not always translate into deeper connection
While 82% say it is easy to meet new people and 75% say it is easy to make friends, fewer respondents find it easy to build close relationships (61%) or maintain romantic relationships (49%).
Optimism about Europe’s future remains strong, but trust is divided
68% of respondents are optimistic about Europe’s future, although only 52% consider European institutions transparent and trustworthy. Democracy and political stability, international security, and migration and integration are seen as the continent’s most pressing challenges for the next decade.
A longer conversation about the future of Europe
ESCP students move across campuses, cultures, languages and perspectives. With campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw, ESCP offers a distinctive vantage point on how young people live Europe in daily life.
For ESCP, the first edition of Live, Learn & Love in Europe marks the beginning of a longer conversation with its community.
As an annual initiative running until 2030, the survey will accompany the School’s broader strategic journey and keep student experience, European identity and future leadership at the heart of that work, reflecting the realities young people encounter across Europe, the futures they imagine and the conditions that will shape whether they choose to stay, build and lead here.
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