Youth Pulse 2026

Images: Getty Images Disclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders. © 2026 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Contents Preface 3 Key findings 4 Introduction: Youth in a changing world 7 Economic outlook 8 Political outlook 14 Technological outlook 21 Social outlook 28 Environmental outlook 35 Policy priorities 40 Strategies to future-proof society 45 Contributors 49 Acknowledgements 49 Appendices 50 A1. Methodology 50 A2. Demography 51 Endnotes 57 Youth Pulse 2026: Insights from the next generation for a changing world 2