How Flemish Students See the Future: Insights from the Futures Barometer

How do young people in Flanders envision the future? That’s the question the first-ever Futures Barometer set out to answer. Conducted by third-year students of the Idea & Innovation Management program at Howest, the study gathered insights from nearly 2,000 college and university students aged 17–24. The result: a snapshot of how this generation feels about the world ahead and the role they see for themselves in shaping it.

More than just a survey, the Futures Barometer is a milestone for futures thinking in Flanders. It highlights Howest’s unique strength in combining research, creativity, and societal relevance. Under the guidance of lecturer and futures researcher Thomas D’hooge, the student team turned a complex question into a meaningful, data-driven conversation starter.

Global Optimism, Local Doubts

Two-thirds of students report a positive outlook on the global future. Younger students are especially optimistic, and college students are slightly more upbeat than their university peers. But this hope does not translate into a strong sense of influence: only half feel they can impact global developments.

Interestingly, when it comes to Flanders, students tend to be more reserved. They view the futures of their region with more skepticism and feel even less influential locally. This suggests a disconnect: they are hopeful about the broader world but are doubtful about their ability to change what is closest to home.

Climate and Politics Worry Students

The Futures Barometer explored student sentiment across six key themes: climate, politics, economy, employment, health, and technology. Climate and politics score lowest, both in optimism and perceived influence. Students see these as urgent but beyond their control.

In contrast, technology and health spark more hope. Students are optimistic about innovation and medical progress, even though they still feel like bystanders. Employment and the economy evoke neutral feelings—important but not emotionally charged.

Should Belgium Have a Minister of the Future?

One of the most debated Futures Barometer questions was whether Belgium should introduce a "Minister of the Future"—a political role dedicated to long-term strategy. 43% of students support the idea, with Vlaams-Brabant showing the strongest enthusiasm. Still, many remain undecided, showing that future-focused governance is a concept still taking root.

A Call for Futures Literacy

The Futures Barometer highlights a generation that is aware, concerned, and cautiously hopeful. The key challenge? Bridging the gap between what young people hope for and what they feel empowered to do.

This study is not the end but a beginning. By repeating the survey in years to come, we can track how youth perspectives evolve—and use that knowledge to shape better policies, education, and civic engagement.

For Howest and the Idea & Innovation Management program, the Futures Barometer demonstrates the power of hands-on research with real societal impact. It’s a clear indication that this program is at the forefront of integrating futures literacy into education.

Want to dive deeper into the results? For more information, contact thomas@teachthefuture.org.

Download the Futures Barometer:

Futures Barometer_F1 (1).pdf

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