The Confidence Gap
The Challenge
Self-confidence and self-image strongly influence how young people grow, make choices, and see their place in society. International research already pointed to a worrying confidence gap between girls and boys, but Belgian data was lacking.
The challenge was to understand how Belgian youngsters experience self-confidence, how this evolves with age, and whether gender differences play a role particularly in a society shaped by social media, stereotypes, and performance pressure. Without clear insights, it is difficult for organisations, schools, and employers to support young people in developing equal opportunities and confidence.
Our Approach
Inspired by existing US research, we designed a mixed-method study combining quantitative scale with qualitative depth. With the support of AXA Belgium, we set out to map self-confidence across genders, age groups, and language communities in Belgium.
Our approach focused on:
- Capturing both numbers and lived experiences
- Comparing girls and boys to identify structural differences
- Exploring sensitive themes such as self-image, comparison, success, and social media
- Giving young people a safe space to openly share their stories
Activation
We conducted a large-scale online survey among 1,350 Belgian youngsters aged 10 to 24, covering both Dutch- and French-speaking communities. The sample included 900 girls and 450 boys, the latter serving as a control group.
To deepen the insights, we organised in-depth duo conversations with 12 girls, allowing them to openly discuss their feelings, behaviours, insecurities, and experiences across different life stages.
The research explored:
- Levels of self-confidence and insecurity
- Comparison behaviour and perceived chances of success
- The role of school, performance pressure, and societal expectations
- The impact of social media on self-image and confidence
Our impact
Key insights include:
- Girls feel more insecure, compare themselves more often, and doubt their abilities and chances of success more than boys
- Societal stereotypes strongly influence self-image, interests, and confidence, with long-term implications for study and career choices
- Social media plays a dual role, both reinforcing insecurity and offering empowerment, depending on context and use
- Girls perceive significantly fewer equal opportunities than boys do, highlighting a gap in lived experience and perception
By making these insights tangible, the research contributes to a broader societal conversation on confidence, gender equality, and youth support. It provides organisations, educators, and employers with concrete evidence to create safer, more supportive environments — enabling young people, especially girls, to grow into their future with greater confidence and agency.
Every project is different, but they all start with the same belief: youth culture is the key to relevance.
