Almost nine in ten young people across the European Union consider themselves to be in good or very good health, although perceptions vary by gender, household income and country, according to data for 2025.
Eurostat figures show that 89.7% of people aged 16 to 29 in the EU rated their health positively last year. This was significantly higher than the corresponding figure for the population aged 16 and over, among whom just 67.9% described their health as good or very good.
Despite the overwhelmingly positive assessment among younger Europeans, the figures indicate a slight downward trend in recent years. The proportion reporting good or very good health fell from 91.1% in 2021 to 89.7% in 2025, suggesting a modest decline in young people's self-assessed wellbeing.
Young men report better health than women
The data also reveal a difference between young men and women. In 2025, 90.9% of men aged 16–29 said they enjoyed good or very good health, compared with 88.4% of women in the same age group.
Although the gap was relatively small, the results show that young men were somewhat more likely than their female counterparts to view their health positively.
Household income influences health perceptions
Financial circumstances also appear to play an important role in how young Europeans assess their health. The Eurostat figures show a clear difference between those living in the lowest-income households and those in the wealthiest group.
Among young people from households in the lowest income quintile, 85.6% reported good or very good health in 2025. The proportion rose to 93.7% among those living in households in the highest income quintile.
This represents an 8.1-percentage-point gap, highlighting the association between household income and perceived health among younger Europeans. While the figures do not establish a direct causal relationship, they suggest that economic inequality is reflected in how young people assess their wellbeing.
Romania and Greece lead the EU rankings
National results varied considerably across the bloc. In 14 EU member states, more than 90% of people aged 16–29 described their health as good or very good.
Romania recorded the highest proportion, at 98.2%, closely followed by Greece at 98.1%. Croatia ranked third, with 95.9% of young people reporting positive health assessments.
At the other end of the scale, Sweden recorded the lowest share, at 74.4%. The Netherlands followed at 79.8%, while Finland registered 81.4%.
The substantial differences between countries underline the varied ways in which young Europeans perceive their health. However, the figures measure individuals' own assessments rather than providing a direct comparison of diagnosed medical conditions or overall healthcare outcomes.
Overall, the 2025 data suggest that most young people in the EU continue to view their health positively. Nevertheless, the gradual decline since 2021, differences between men and women, and the clear income-related gap indicate that young people's experiences of health and wellbeing are not uniform across Europe. Photo by Igormarkt, Wikimedia commons.
