When did we as a society feel at our best, and is there a decade that unites us in a shared sense of happier times? Or maybe perceptions are more individual and the best time is different for everyone?
In the search for answers to these questions, Gallup International Balkan asked Bulgarians “What was the best decade?” on the idea of “Capital” (The material “The best years of Bulgarians” can be read HERE). The abstract question left room for the respondents to make as broad associations as possible. Traditionally, such questions evoke memories of one’s own life, or at least the life of one’s own country. And this turns out to be all too telling.
In the face of the crises and uncertainties that the third decade of the twenty-first century has so far offered us, it is not superfluous to be willing to look back and take stock and take stock of our lives.
The eighties seem to stand out as the best decade. A quarter of all those who participated point to them. The seventies were the best time according to 13.9% of respondents, followed by the nineties (13.6%), the first decade of this century (13.3%) and the second decade of this century – 12.2%.
As might be expected, age is in serious determinant of perceptions. The eighties of the twentieth century seem to most unite our society in perceptions of the best decade. Respondents between the ages of 46 and 65, however, perceive the eighties as the best time to a much greater extent than younger respondents or those who are the oldest. For under-35s, for example, responses of ‘eighties’ are around one tenth. For the oldest old (those over 66), perceptions that the 80s are the best time are again declining.
The thesis that one loves the decade of one’s youth the most is confirmed when public attitudes toward the seventies are examined. The generation that most strongly associates the disco decade with feeling like the best time are precisely respondents aged 66 and over – who were in the prime of their youth in the seventies. Younger generations are much less likely to express sentiments about this period (and have no memories). For respondents under 35, the “seventies” responses do not even reach 2 percent.
Something is breaking in public perceptions relative to the nineties. The generation between 36 and 45, who are most expected to perceive the 1990s as the best, are rather split. The same is true for the generation between the ages of 26 and 35. What’s more, children and young people in their nineties are also significantly more confused about what the best years actually are – over two-thirds of those aged between 26 and 35 cannot judge which decade is best for them. A fifth of respondents between 36 and 45 do too.
The confusion is evident in some paradoxical data. It emerges, for example, that the generation that was in their twenties in the nineties looks with somewhat greater sympathy on the eighties. Interestingly, the 26-35 generation (who spent a small part of their conscious lives in the nineties) are more favourably disposed towards this period. There are also smaller proportions of responses in favour of the nineties among respondents under 25, many of whom were not even born then. Perhaps the traditional idealisation of childhood or the recent past plays a role here.
Expectedly, the decades of the new millennium are best appreciated by the youngest (under 25) Among them, again predictably, are the highest proportions of “can’t judge” responses – almost one in four members of Generation Z. Perhaps it is the basis of comparison (the life experience accumulated over the decades) that enables us to judge what is best. Perhaps the expectation among the young is also that the best decade is ahead.
The eighties seem to stand out as the best decade. A quarter of all those who participated point to them. The seventies were the best time according to 13.9% of respondents, followed by the nineties (13.6%), the first decade of this century (13.3%) and the second decade of this century – 12.2%.
As might be expected, age is in serious determinant of perceptions. The eighties of the twentieth century seem to most unite our society in perceptions of the best decade. Respondents between the ages of 46 and 65, however, perceive the eighties as the best time to a much greater extent than younger respondents or those who are the oldest. For under-35s, for example, responses of ‘eighties’ are around one tenth. For the oldest old (those over 66), perceptions that the 80s are the best time are again declining.
The thesis that one loves the decade of one’s youth the most is confirmed when public attitudes toward the seventies are examined. The generation that most strongly associates the disco decade with feeling like the best time are precisely respondents aged 66 and over – who were in the prime of their youth in the seventies. Younger generations are much less likely to express sentiments about this period (and have no memories). For respondents under 35, the “seventies” responses do not even reach 2 percent.
Something is breaking in public perceptions relative to the nineties. The generation between 36 and 45, who are most expected to perceive the 1990s as the best, are rather split. The same is true for the generation between the ages of 26 and 35. What’s more, children and young people in their nineties are also significantly more confused about what the best years actually are – over two-thirds of those aged between 26 and 35 cannot judge which decade is best for them. A fifth of respondents between 36 and 45 do too.
The confusion is evident in some paradoxical data. It emerges, for example, that the generation that was in their twenties in the nineties looks with somewhat greater sympathy on the eighties. Interestingly, the 26-35 generation (who spent a small part of their conscious lives in the nineties) are more favourably disposed towards this period. There are also smaller proportions of responses in favour of the nineties among respondents under 25, many of whom were not even born then. Perhaps the traditional idealisation of childhood or the recent past plays a role here.
Expectedly, the decades of the new millennium are best appreciated by the youngest (under 25) Among them, again predictably, are the highest proportions of “can’t judge” responses – almost one in four members of Generation Z. Perhaps it is the basis of comparison (the life experience accumulated over the decades) that enables us to judge what is best. Perhaps the expectation among the young is also that the best decade is ahead.
After all, if for the oldest it is clear when it was best and this is the time of their youth, and for the youngest – expectedly this is the time now (or perhaps rather what is to come), the generations in the middle seem divided. The nineties, with their intense dynamism, social, economic and political changes, are proving to be good for some, but also very difficult for many of the people who looked forward to them.
After all, if for the oldest it is clear when it was best and this is the time of their youth, and for the youngest – expectedly this is the time now (or perhaps rather what is to come), the generations in the middle seem divided. The nineties, with their intense dynamism, social, economic and political changes, are proving to be good for some, but also very difficult for many of the people who looked forward to them.
The survey was conducted face-to-face with tablets between 20 and 27 September 2022 among 1,009 adults. The sample is representative of the country’s adult population. The absolute maximum margin of error is ±3.1% at 50% proportions. 1% of the total sample equals about 54 thousand people.