Appendix

Results of the online survey among Nordic students

As a part of this project, a survey was conducted between January and April 2025 in all five Nordic countries. The aim was to cover two distinct contexts in each country: a rural area, where agriculture, forestry or fishery play a significant role in the local economy and society, and an urban area, where these sectors are less prominent. In each urban and rural area, two schools were chosen to participate in the survey – an upper secondary school and a further education/vocational school. During the process, some adjustments were made to these criteria, as engaging schools to take part in the survey proved challenging in some cases, necessitating pragmatic solutions.

At total of 534 students took part in the survey, although not all respondents answered every question (which explains why the totals may vary). The highest numbers of responses came from Sweden, Denmark and Finland, while it proved challenging to engage schools in Norway and Iceland.

The following tables and graphs present the main results of the study. Where applicable, the results are broken down by type of education or gender:

Country
Sweden	180
Finland	101
Iceland	43
Norway	49
Denmark	165

Age
15	119
16	127
17	95
18	93
19	76
20 or over	26

Gender
Male	261
Female	206
Non-binary	19
Prefer not to say	16

What type of education are you currently enrolled in?
Further education school	221
Vocational school	156
Upper secondary (year 9/10)	152
Other	4

Where did you spend most of your childhood (0-18 years) ?
Primarily in a rural area (e.g. small village or countryside)	238
Primarily in an urban area (e.g. city, large city, capital)	154
Primarily in a suburban area (e.g. a residential area on the outskirts of a city)	137
Other	5

Q8 What would you prefer to do after your current education?

Q9 I am very sure about the education I want to pursue.

Q10 I am very sure about the job I want to have in the future.

Q11. What is important for me in my future job

Q12 Where do you get information about your future education and career?

Q 13: Which of the following statements do you agree with (percentage of responses “agree” and “agree somewhat”)

Percent resonses supporting the statement	Farmer	Chef	Nutrition Assistant	Veterinarian	Food Technologist
You can earn a lot of money	35	67	46	91	79
You will get the opportunity to start your own business	76	76	24	61	25
The job you do will make a positive difference in the world	83	48	76	93	83
It is a job that will make you happy	64	63	30	74	33
You can be physical active	91	55	18	56	14
You can be close to nature and work outside	91	5	4	63	14
You can be creative and innovative	64	91	29	25	63
I think people choose this to work in the same field as their family	79	33	8	18	7
It has a gender-diverse and inclusive working environment	59	50	41	69	54
You will have good colleagues and leadership	64	69	63	83	60
I would like to work in this type of job	21	17	5	31	6
I have heard good things about this type of job	57	42	18	63	17
I know people in this type of job	60	36	12	25	5

Q 18: I have a good overview of career opportunities in food production industry jobs

Q19A I would like a job in food production (e.g. farming, fishing, veterinarian, work in a canteen etc.)
Yes: 202
No: 316

Q19B: What discourages you from a career in the food production industry?
The responses were given as open-ended answers in the respondents’ native languages. Below is the translated and categorised list of responses:

1. Lack of Interest
- Not interesting
- Doesn't appeal to me
- I have no interest in this field
- I prefer other career paths
- I am passionate about something else
- I am more interested in psychology, law or business - I have other dreams

2. Low Pay & Financial Concerns
- Poor salary, especially in the current economy
- Doesn't seem financially rewarding
- If you don’t reach the top, the salary isn’t great
- I prefer a career with better financial prospects

3. Perceived Job Conditions
- Seems boring
- Physically and mentally demanding
- Requires working in specific locations
- Doesn't seem fulfilling
- I prefer office work

4. Family Influence & Background
- My family works in agriculture, but I want to try something else
- I might work in food production in the future, but I want to explore other options first
- I want to follow a different career path from my family

5. Health & Personal Preferences
- Allergies
- I am a picky eater
- I don’t like working with animals - I dislike biology