How Young Adults Look At The Future

There’s another side to the Dorset story. It’s not just an ageing population, it’s about whether young people see a future here.

In my last article, I highlighted the challenge of Dorset’s ageing population.

Retention is just as critical as attraction. If we can’t hold onto the next generation, the region’s long-term future is at risk.

I chose to explore this topic because while the headlines are often negative, we risk losing sight of the long view.

More people are reaching retirement age, fertility rates are falling (just 1.4 in England and Wales in 2023, well below the replacement rate of 2.1), and Dorset can’t afford to see its young people drift away. If they do, tackling economic and workforce challenges becomes like building on shifting sand.

Rather than my perspective, I wanted to discover how young adults (people starting their careers and under 25) are looking at their future.

1) Would you stay or go?

If you had the choice, would you see yourself building your future in Dorset, or do you feel pulled elsewhere? Why?

2) What opportunities do you see (or don’t see)?

When you look at Dorset, what stands out as an opportunity for young adults, and where do you feel it falls short?

3) Looking ahead

When you imagine Dorset 10 or 20 years from now, what do you hope it will look like for someone your age?

Here is what they shared.

Ben Franklin said that he would stay, pointing to good transport links and the flexibility of remote work. The natural environment of Dorset is a big plus for work life balance, although the night life has challenges to meet everyone’s needs. Ben hopes Dorset can become the hub for education, based around more personal interaction in the knowledge growth opportunities for young adults.

Isabelle Kearnan feels there are many good opportunities but tend to be hidden. She does feel that the big brands, that she would love to work for are in the big cities and would necessitate a move. Living costs do make an impact on whether she can take the opportunities that are available. Dorset is home for Isabell, but she feels it needs to change and become safer for young people to flourish.

Freya B. would definitely like to stay in Dorset as the seaside enables her love of water sports, but knows that it can also be healthy to move away for personal growth. Job opportunities can be limited for the young, especially in the winter months. There are many interesting events going on but the lack of third spaces (places outside of work and home) can be limiting as well as public transport. Freya hopes that the region can find some sort of niche where it excels compared to the rest of the country.

Grace Barton sees that the area in terms of marketing roles is strong, but being young the vibrancy and excitement of London is a draw. Many of Grace’s peers are considering leaving because of limited opportunities, weak transport links, expensive nightlife and a lack of social and cultural activities. Dorset, she feels, needs to serve young people far better.

The voices I’ve shared make it clear: Dorset is loved, but love alone won’t keep young people rooted. 

Opportunity, affordability, and a vision for the future matter just as much as lifestyle. If Dorset wants to thrive, it has to become a place where ambition grows alongside community.

By listening to younger voices now, we don’t just retain talent, we build the foundations of a region ready to meet the future with confidence.