Global Youth Participation Index (GYPI)

With half of the world’s population being under 30, the continued survival of democracy is highly dependent on buy-in and support among its youth. However, young people, particularly from marginalised communities, are chronically underrepresented in politics, including in parliaments, political parties, local governments, and at the ballot boxes.

Meanwhile, in civic affairs, young people are engaged and take leadership in social movements, but struggle to be taken seriously by established politicians. Young people’s disenfranchisement has important consequences for the state of democracy, which indeed cannot be a true democracy if it is not inclusive of its young citizens.

The Global Youth Participation Index (GYPI) aims to fill critical gaps in global data on youth political participation by fostering youth-led research that highlights positive engagement practices, challenges systemic barriers, and amplifies young voices in the democratic process.