Annual survey reveals two in three young people in Scotland don’t feel safe
Our survey highlights safety concerns are highest in education settings, on public transport and within public spaces.
Two-thirds (67%) of young people in Scotland have felt unsafe at some point, according to our Truth About Youth survey.
Over 2,500 11 to 25-year-olds took part in our annual survey, which explored what young people think about life in Scotland, their concerns and the issues that matter most to them.
While most young people feel safe at home (89%), with their friends (69%), less than half (43%) of respondents reported feeling safe at school, college or university – with one in four young people identifying school as a place where they have felt unsafe.
58% of young people have felt unsafe on the streets in their area
51% reported feeling unsafe on public transport
33% have felt unsafe in school, college or university
Thousands of young people shared experiences of feeling unsafe, often due to others' behaviour – particularly the harassment of women in public and on transport.
A 15-year-old said:
Public transport is a big one. As a woman especially. Random men sit next to you while in a more or less empty carriage. I have been filmed by creepy men before and have had to move carriages because of this.
Another young person said:
I often feel unsafe walking home in the evenings or around people who are loud or drunk on public transport. As a young woman I also experience verbal harassment from men regularly.
A 13-year-old shared their experience of feeling unsafe at school.
I started secondary school and have never truly felt safe at school since. I was bullied for almost a year despite my parents doing everything they could to help.
A 19-year-old said:
As a young woman, I don’t feel safe anywhere other than my house. I can’t go on a run or for a walk without being catcalled by men. I get sexualised when I go to nightclubs, I get inappropriate stares from men in the park.
The results also show that safety concerns extend beyond physical security. Young people reported being increasingly worried about lack of affordable housing, poverty, racism and prejudice and climate change – particularly the rising cost of living and how it will affect their future:
70% are worried about food availability and cost
57% are concerned about home fuel costs
47% identify mental ill health as a key concern related to climate change
Young Scot CEO Kirsten Urquhart said:
The findings highlight the daily challenges many young people in Scotland face. Feeling unsafe affects their wellbeing and limits their ability to participate in their communities fully.
Young people are seeking better support, and meaningful action to address their safety concerns.
To ensure every young person feels secure, we must continue to work together to challenge harmful behaviours, strengthen support, and create inclusive communities where they feel heard and safe.
The Young Scot Truth About Youth survey ran from September 2024 to January 2025 and received 2,590 complete responses. The survey was developed and built upon the principles established in the 2024 BIG Survey.
It was designed to combine a backbone of questions which can be used in future surveys with ‘pulse’ questions on a variety of topics to provide an overview of the key issues facing 11 to 25-year-olds in Scotland right now. Some sections were built in collaboration with partner organisations including Public Health Scotland, Children First, YouthLink Scotland, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland and Scottish Government.
For over 40 years, Young Scot has been providing young people with information, ideas and opportunities to help them make informed decisions and choices. Our data and insights service enables us to do this by offering opportunities for us and our partners to understand the opinions, preferences, and behaviours of young people. Leveraging tailored surveys and advanced analytics, we help uncover valuable insights to inform your strategies and decisions.
Whether you're looking to explore specific trends, test ideas, or gather feedback, our customisable surveys provide precise and actionable data. For more information, contact sarad@young.scot.