Key Takeaways
- Shared grievances across borders: From Nepal to Morocco to Peru, youth-led protests echo global concerns about corruption, economic insecurity, and governance failures.
- Generational divide in perceptions: Gen Z consistently rates systemic issues as more serious than older generations.
- Implication: These protests are not isolated events but part of a broader generational call for systemic reform.
From Nepal to Morocco to Peru, Gen Z is making its voice heard. In 2025, youth-led protests are erupting across continents, driven by a strikingly consistent set of grievances: entrenched corruption, political elites seen as abusive or unresponsive, rising economic insecurity and youth unemployment, and deteriorating public services. These protests are not isolated; they reflect a broader generational sentiment that is now backed by global data.
Recent research from GlobeScan reveals that the concerns voiced by young people in recent protests reflect a broader global trend. Around the world, Gen Z (born between 1996 and 2010) consistently shows higher levels of concern than older generations about systemic social issues. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z (64%) consider corruption to be a “very serious” problem. This generational gap is even more pronounced on issues such as human rights abuses, unemployment, and unfair treatment of workers. Together, these findings highlight a shared sense of urgency among younger generations worldwide.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Gen Z is navigating a world that feels stuck, where broken systems persist and promises of reform often fall short. Their protests are not just expressions of frustration; they are calls for systemic change. This is a warning signal for governments, employers, and institutions everywhere: ignoring these concerns risks deepening discontent and eroding trust.
Survey Question: For each of the following possible global problems, please indicate if you see it as a very serious, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not at all serious problem.
Countries surveyed: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UK, USA, and Vietnam.
