Youth Pulse 2026

When asked which political trends will most shape the next five years, a majority of respondents identify rising geopolitical tension as the defining force. This shared concern reflects both global exposure and personal proximity: young people live in an age of real-time information, where conflicts and power shifts reverberate instantly through digital networks and economies. Geopolitical tension was cited as the top trend in every region (Figure 6), peaking in Europe and Eurasia, where 72% of respondents rank it as the top political trend. Despite concerns over polarization and democratic erosion, young people remain optimistic about the potential for political renewal. Survey findings show a near-even split between negative and positive expectations: while 51% cite risks such as authoritarianism and populism, 49% highlight opportunities including innovative governance models, expanded civic engagement, stronger international cooperation and greater inclusion of under-represented groups in policy-making. This balance of realism and optimism signals that young people do not reject politics – they want it to work better. They see reform as possible when leadership is transparent, participatory and focused on shared progress.Geopolitical tensions feel close to home Cautious about global politics, hopeful about reform Political trends that will shape the next five years FIGURE 4 10 0 20 30 40 50 60Which political trends are likely to have the most significant impact in the next five years?* Increased geopolitical tension Resurgence of authoritarianism and the weakening of democratic norms Escalation of nationalist and populist politics Emergence of innovative governance models Rise in civic engagement Growth of international cooperation Greater inclusion of under-represented groups in policy-making59.4% 40.5% 39.8% 35.2% 33.3% 32.8% 30.0% Note: * Respondents were asked to select up to three trends Youth Pulse 2026: Insights from the next generation for a changing world 15