Repeated crises are reshaping how people perceive stability and what they expect from society. Uncertainty is no longer the exception but an increasingly familiar feature of everyday life. While people are finding ways to adapt to changing circumstances, they are also grappling with psychological strain, information overload and growing doubts about institutions’ ability to address pressing challenges. The key question is not simply how society will cope with the next crisis, but how it can continue to function over the long term in a world where stability can no longer be taken for granted.

Key takeaways:

• Concern and adaptation can coexist. Despite persistent uncertainty, both optimism and life satisfaction are showing a modest increase in Czechia.
• The psychological burden is unevenly distributed. Young people are more likely to report high levels of stress, while financial circumstances also play a significant role.
• People are increasingly avoiding the news. However, this does not necessarily indicate a lack of interest in public affairs.
• Distrust of politics does not necessarily mean a rejection of democracy. Institutional predictability, access to support and opportunities to influence decision-making are essential to building societal resilience.

Policy Paper – Irena Krcháková

The analysis is in PDF under the link below.