protest

Nepal‘s‌ Gen Z Uprising‍ Signals a Global Trend: Youth Bulges‌ and Political Instability

Kathmandu, Nepal – Recent protests ⁤led by Gen Z in Nepal, culminating⁣ in a swift⁢ political shift, underscore⁢ a growing global risk: the potent ‌combination of a large youth population facing‌ economic hardship and limited political inclusion. A surge in demonstrations, fueled by high unemployment and frustration ⁢with the​ status quo, highlights how a “youth bulge” can act as a catalyst for unrest, echoing similar events across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Nepal currently faces a youth unemployment rate of 22.7% for ‍those aged 15-24,a figure that,while‌ projected​ to fall to around 10.7% in 2024 and between 10-12% in⁤ 2025,⁢ remains a critical challenge.​ This demographic pressure, coupled ⁢with ‍concerns ‌over corruption and rising living costs, has created a volatile habitat.

Past precedents ‌demonstrate the destabilizing ⁣potential of ⁣this dynamic. The⁢ Arab Spring uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen were largely driven by young people grappling with unemployment ⁣and a‍ lack of prospect, with over half⁤ the population in these nations under the age of 25 at the time. Similarly, youth-led⁣ protests erupted across Sub-Saharan Africa in ⁤2024, including in Nigeria, kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Mozambique,⁢ driven by anger‌ over economic conditions.⁤ A‍ recent example is the violent ⁣student riots⁢ in Bangladesh in August 2024, ‌which ⁤led to the overthrow‍ of the Hasina Regime.

However, population size alone isn’t the determining factor.These episodes demonstrate that unrest ⁢is most likely to‌ occur when a ‍youth bulge coincides with economic strain, unemployment, ⁣and ⁤a lack of political inclusion. ‍The youth population acts as a powerful accelerant, substantially increasing the likelihood of protest when other stressors are present.

Looking ahead, Nepal stands at a crossroads.‍ The country’s policymakers have an opportunity to harness the energy of its young‌ population ‌through reforms focused on job ⁣creation, tackling corruption, and strengthening democratic institutions. ⁣ Failure to do so, the analysis warns, ⁢risks repeating the pattern seen elsewhere, turning a potential asset ​into a source of instability.

As‍ the author‌ concludes, the​ lessons ‍of ‍Nepal’s gen Z‌ revolution‌ – and its repercussions – will resonate ​globally⁢ for years to come, ⁤serving as a stark‌ reminder that ⁣ignoring the needs and aspirations ⁣of youth is a gamble with a nation’s future.

(Source: UNFPA – 12th⁣ National Population and Housing Census ‍2021)