Wellbeing Around the World: UNIQA Pojistovna Shines a Light on Youth Wellbeing and Family Security

Wellbeing does not begin in the workplace. It begins at home. A new survey by UNIQA Pojistovna, a member of the Insurope Network in the Czech Republic, explores how families function today – what holds them together, where tensions arise, and where people feel support may be missing.

While family remains the primary source of security, trust, and closeness for most people in the Czech Republic, the research reveals that this sense of safety is often more fragile than it appears.

UNIQA Pojistovna is a financial services company offering both life and non-life insurance. In addition to traditional insurance solutions, the company provides online insurance services, client programs, and comprehensive solutions for pension planning, long-term investments, and retirement savings. With a strong focus on flexibility, UNIQA strives to find solutions tailored to the diverse needs of its clients across different life stages.

The survey offers a comprehensive look at how secure people feel within their families, with the overall sense of family security reaching 62 out of 100 points. Czech families score highly in protecting loved ones from serious risks and in shared everyday activities such as spending time together or caring for pets. In contrast, health and caregiving emerge as the weakest areas. Many people are unsure whether they could care for a dependent family member, with 26 % having someone in their extended family in need of care and 8 % facing this responsibility directly at home – most often with significant impacts on women and their careers.

Within this broader picture, the survey places particular emphasis on young people and how they experience family life today. The findings reveal that many young people struggle with a lack of understanding and emotional security at home. As many as 26% report a tense atmosphere and frequent arguments in their household. According to psychologist Kornélia Ďuríková from the Slovak nonprofit Liga za duševné zdravie, feeling heard is the foundation of a safe family environment. When young people feel listened to, it strengthens trust, certainty, and a sense of acceptance – key elements for healthy emotional development.

The research also highlights how deeply family dynamics shape long-term wellbeing. Behavioral patterns are often passed from one generation to the next, and unresolved conflict can carry over into adulthood. Young people today are particularly sensitive to these dynamics, shaped not only by their own family experiences but also by what they observe in their peers’ families and on social media. This heightened awareness can make tensions at home more visible and emotionally impactful.

One of the strongest drivers of tension identified in the survey is financial insecurity. UNIQA’s research shows that a significant share of families lack sufficient financial reserves, which increases stress and uncertainty within the household. For young people, financial instability at home can undermine their sense of safety and future confidence. UNIQA is therefore using these insights to raise awareness of how financial planning, protection, and small, practical steps toward financial security can help create greater stability and peace of mind for families. When financial pressure eases, emotional space opens up.

This initiative reflects UNIQA’s broader understanding of wellbeing – one that goes beyond insurance products alone. By addressing emotional safety, financial stability, and mental wellbeing together, UNIQA encourages families across generations and life stages to think about security in a more holistic way, including the needs and perspectives of younger people.

At Insurope, this approach strongly resonates with our mission. We partner with leading insurers in local markets around the world who go beyond coverage to deliver meaningful wellbeing initiatives as part of their employee benefits strategies. Whether it is youth wellbeing in the Czech Republic, mental health programs in France, or preventive health initiatives in other regions, our Network combines local insight with global wellbeing priorities.
UNIQA’s work in the Czech Republic is a strong example of how local research and action can drive broader impact – starting where wellbeing matters most: at home. Learn more about UNIQA here.