Data collected in Wave 5 of the self-completion panel survey undertaken as part of the Infra4NextGen project has been published today (Friday 17 October).
The project focuses on the position of younger Europeans compared with older people to inform European Union youth policy and support the aims of the NextGenerationEU programme.
As with previous waves, the CRONOS-3 panel survey featured 90 questions on the five key areas of the NextGenEU recovery plan: Digital, Equal, Green, Healthy and Strong.
Respondents recruited at the end of face-to-face interviews in 11 countries during rounds 10 and 11 (2020-24) of the European Social Survey (ESS) have been invited to complete each wave of the panel.
Panellists in Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom were asked to complete each wave online or using paper self-completion questionnaires.
Wave 5 of the panel survey was fielded in May and June 2025.
The data from the final wave of the CRONOS-3 panel to be administered through this project is now available on the ESS Data Portal.
Make it Digital
The use and consumption of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) applications formed a large part of the digital section.
Panellists were asked if they create text and images or protected their personal data using these applications, and if they could tell when AI had been employed in the content they consume.
Attitudes towards the use of AI in the workplace and the home were measured, among other items on the use of digital devices, and social media platforms.
Make it Equal
Respondents were asked who should primarily be responsible for providing healthcare for the sick, care for the elderly and school education for children.
Opinions on not-for-profit and charitable organisations were sought, alongside questions on how panellists are viewed by other people.
A series of hypothetical scenarios around inheritance were presented, and information gathered on how respondents view their own country.
Make it Green
Items measuring personal feelings towards climate change, and who they think will be impacted most by its effects were included.
Some policy proposals were presented, such as higher road taxes for those who drive more, banning the construction of new roads, subsidies for bicycles, and incorporating more cycling infrastructure.
Other policies on taxing or banning household appliances that are inefficient, and providing subsidies or enforcing high standards for home insulation were also covered.
Respondents were asked for their views about climate protestors.
Make it Healthy
Respondents were asked for their height and weight to allow body max index (BMI) to be calculated, and about healthy behaviours, such as physical activity.
There were questions about the panellist when they were a child (under 18), including their parents, friends, any conflicts in the household, and whether they experienced financial difficulties.
Mental health was considered, including loneliness, life satisfaction, fatigue, current relationships with family and friends, and whether respondents feel they have support from those around them when needed.
Panellists also gave information about their use of private mental healthcare providers, if applicable.
Make it Strong
Questions on the Strong theme revolved around financial security, household savings and whether respondents have been in rent or mortgage arrears for their accommodation.
This section included a series of items measuring attitude towards employment opportunities with a specific focus on whether jobs should be prioritised for younger or older people.
There were two questions related to intergenerational support within the family – whether parents should support children financially and whether children should be responsible for caring for their parents.
Hypothetical questions on whether respondents could have a child based on their financial and housing situation – and whether they had sufficient access to childcare and parental leave – were also included.
Data
Questions across all five waves were developed by the CRONOS-3 team at ESS HQ based at City St George’s, University of London with support from the academic experts for each theme. The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission were also consulted.
All the data is available free of charge via the ESS Data Portal
View data from all 450 questions fielded across five waves by theme: Browse by Theme
A new feature allows users to download all items from all waves with a single click: CRONOS-3 All items
