A generation once dismissed as politically disengaged is increasingly becoming a force governments can no longer ignore, as Gen Z-led movements challenge established political systems, push leaders out of office and demand a greater role in decision-making.
Across parts of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, young people have taken to the streets to protest corruption, unemployment, inequality, poor public services and political exclusion. Their movements have exposed growing frustration with leaders accused of failing to address the concerns of younger generations.
The wave of youth-led activism gained particular attention in 2025, when demonstrations helped bring down governments in Nepal and Madagascar. Similar movements have challenged political leadership and government policies in countries including Kenya, Indonesia, Serbia, Morocco and the Philippines.
In Nepal, young protesters mobilised against corruption and a government restriction on social media platforms, turning online frustration into nationwide demonstrations. In Madagascar, anger over persistent electricity and water shortages became a rallying point for demands for political change.
The protests have demonstrated Gen Z’s ability to organise large-scale movements, often using social media to coordinate demonstrations, share information and challenge official narratives.
But the growing influence of the generation is not only about protests. The bigger question is whether young people can convert their ability to mobilise into lasting political power through elections, political parties, public institutions and leadership positions.
The National Democratic Institute estimates that 52 per cent of the world’s population is under the age of 30, while Gen Z accounts for about 20 per cent of the global population. In Africa, almost 60 per cent of the population is under 25, giving young people significant demographic influence.
Despite their numbers, young people remain underrepresented in formal political institutions. The institute says only 2.8 per cent of members of parliament globally are aged 30 or younger, while 39 per cent of national parliaments have no lawmakers in that age group.
This gap highlights one of the central challenges facing the global Gen Z movement: young people are increasingly influencing political outcomes, but they do not always have a place in the institutions responsible for making decisions.
Researchers have also warned that removing unpopular leaders does not automatically produce lasting political change. Youth movements often operate through decentralised networks rather than traditional political structures, making it difficult to negotiate with governments or build lasting institutions after protests succeed.
For Gen Z, the next stage may therefore be more demanding than taking to the streets. It involves building political organisations, contesting elections, entering public office and ensuring that the issues that brought people together are reflected in government policy.
The generation’s demands differ from country to country, but concerns over corruption, economic opportunity, accountability and representation have emerged as common themes.
As more young people question traditional political leadership, governments and established parties face pressure to make room for a generation that is no longer content to remain on the sidelines.
The global Gen Z wave may have started with protests, but its long-term significance will depend on whether young people can turn that momentum into a lasting share of political power.
