Gen Z & Global Politics in Developing Countries

You are scrolling through Instagram and stumble upon a post from a young chap in Mumbai calling out corruption in local job recruitment. Within hours, it has got thousands of likes, and people are out on the streets, pushing the government to fix things. That is the kind of influence Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, brings to the table. These youngsters have grown up with smartphones in their hands, navigating social media like it is second nature. They have come of age during floods, job crises, pandemics, and regional tensions, unlike older folks who relied on community meetings or Doordarshan news. Instead, Gen Z

uses apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Signal to rally support, question broken systems, and even aim for leadership roles. As of 12 September 2025, this bunch is shaking up across the Global South, from Latin America to Africa, South Asia to the Middle East. They are not just voting; they are launching campaigns, shaping public opinion, and demanding accountability. But here is the catch: many of them are not sold on democracy. A recent study shows they value open discussions but wonder if the system delivers. Some even think a strong leader who gets things done quickly might be better. Let us dive into how Gen Z is changing politics in developing countries, using the latest 2025 insights, online chatter, and real-world examples.

How Gen Z Views Governance

Gen Z’s take on democracy is a bit like a mixed bag of emotions. They are all for fairness, free speech, and equal opportunities, but they are not convinced the system works well. A 2025 study found that 62% of young adults respect core democratic ideas like fair elections, but only 36% believe it tackles big issues like climate change or social inequality. About 31% feel “meh” about it, thinking the system does not really help them, so they are open to alternatives, like a determined leader who cuts through red tape. Another 7% are downright fed up, holding onto democratic values but so frustrated with their flaws that they consider bold moves, even protests.

This is not just a Western thing. In 2023, a survey across 30 countries showed 35% of 18- to 35-year-olds are okay with a leader who skips elections, compared to 20% of older folks. In places like Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, 42% of young people are fine with military rule if it delivers results. Elsewhere, a 2025 survey found 52% of Gen Z, aged 13 to 27, prefer a strong leader over democracy, and 47% want a complete societal overhaul. Online discussions highlight how lockdowns, skyrocketing rents, and broken promises, like Nepal’s government slip-ups, make democracy feel like an empty promise when leaders do not deliver.

But there’s hope. Gen Z cares deeply about rights. A 2024 survey showed 95% of young people globally oppose governments curbing rights based on looks, beliefs, or identity. Their frustration comes from democracy feeling like a slow train to nowhere, especially when corruption or bureaucracy stalls progress. Their push for change, amplified by social media, is rattling old systems everywhere.

Gen Z’s Efforts Across the Globe

Gen Z’s impact on politics varies by region, but their energy is a common thread. Let us take a quick tour of their efforts in 2025.

Latin America: Rising Voices

In Latin America, Gen Z is driving change despite economic and social chaos. In Brazil, young voters backed green policies in 2022, helping elect a progressive leader, but 2025 online posts show they are annoyed about ongoing deforestation. In Chile, Gen Z led 2019 protests for better schools and healthcare, using Instagram to organise and push for a new constitution draft. In Argentina, 60% of 16- to 24-year-olds voted for a conservative leader in 2023, drawn to his pro-business ideas. A 2023 survey noted 38% of Latin American youth prefer strong leaders over elections, showing distrust in corrupt systems.

Sub-Saharan Africa: Defenders of Democracy

With 400 million people aged 15 to 35, sub-Saharan Africa sees Gen Z stepping up as democracy’s watchdogs. In Kenya, they led 2024 protests against tax hikes, using TikTok to coordinate despite internet shutdowns, forcing the government to scrap the plan. In Nigeria, the 2020 #EndSARS campaign used Twitter to fight police brutality, with Gen Z sharing videos that went global, even after a brief Twitter ban. In South Africa, they helped end a major party’s dominance in 2024 elections, chasing better jobs and less corruption. Online praise highlights how they use apps to monitor polls and expose wrongdoing, though limited education and job opportunities fuel doubts about democracy. In Uganda, Gen Z supported a musician-turned-politician in 2021, using WhatsApp to organise despite internet cuts, though the government cracked down hard. Their spirit is infectious, but economic struggles and authoritarian pushbacks make their fight tough.

South Asia: Tech-Savvy and Varied

South Asia’s Gen Z is a diverse bunch. In India, where data is limited due to restrictions, online posts show them focusing on jobs and pollution, using WhatsApp for campaigns like Delhi’s clean air efforts. In Bangladesh, students used Facebook Live in 2024 to end a job quota system, forcing the prime minister to resign amid internet blocks. In Nepal, TikTok videos in 2024 exposed corruption, sparking protests that ousted the prime minister on 9 September 2025, after 19 deaths. In Indonesia, a 2025 survey showed Gen Z’s civic engagement growing through social media influencers, with 559 young voters saying they follow public figures online. Their digital skills make them powerful, even under strict oversight.

Middle East: Fighting Restrictions

In the Middle East, Gen Z faces tight government control but keeps speaking out. In Iran, the 2022 #MahsaAmini protests, triggered by a woman’s death in custody, saw Gen Z using VPNs to share videos on Instagram, challenging the regime despite internet bans. In Turkey, young voters boosted opposition parties in 2023 local elections, with 25% of 18- to 24-year-olds supporting change. Online posts highlight their use of secure apps to dodge restrictions, though crackdowns limit their reach.

What Drives Gen Z’s Involvement

Gen Z cares more about issues than party loyalty. Here is what gets them going:

Climate Change: From global youth movements to Kenya’s protests, Gen Z connects local efforts to global solutions. A 2023 survey found 70% worry climate change will hit their lives soon, pushing for policies like international environmental agreements’ 2025 extensions.
Social Justice: Race, gender, and LGBTQ rights fire them up. A global movement’s 12 million social media posts went viral, and an Indian campaign changed workplace rules. In Iran, #MahsaAmini videos sparked protests for women’s rights.
Economic Gaps: Student loans, low pay, and housing costs drive calls for fair policies. In some places, 43% want older leaders replaced to fix these. In other regions, tight budgets fuel anti-system votes.
Digital Rights: Privacy and fake news are big deals. Gen Z slams companies for censorship and governments for surveillance, with 81% valuing free speech, per a 2024 survey.

The Gender Divide and Shifting Mindsets

A 2025 survey shows a clear gender split: boys tend conservative, girls lean progressive. In South Korea, young boys back parties opposing gender equality, while girls support them. In the US, 56% of young boys voted for a conservative leader in 2024, compared to 40% of girls. Online chatter suggests this divide is shaping elections, with boys feeling left out by progressive policies.

Mindset-wise, Gen Z is adaptable. About 52% in the US call themselves independents, ditching party ties, according to a 2025 survey. Some get radical, with 11% saying protests are okay for change. Online posts hint many see democracy as a show, preferring street action over voting.

Challenges and Hope for Democracy

Gen Z’s doubts about democracy are a double-edged sword. A 2025 survey says 25% do not care if it is the best system, which could weaken standards. Their openness to strong leaders, with 42% globally okay with military rule in some cases, is worrying, especially in places like Nepal, where protests toppled a government but raised fears of chaos.

But there is a silver lining. Their energy, like Kenya’s tax protests, Australia’s green votes, or Chile’s constitutional push, breathes life into democracy. A study notes 63% have a quiet respect for it, meaning they could be won over with better engagement. Addressing their demands for jobs, climate action, and fairness could strengthen systems. Meeting their needs might also curb extreme views, as a 2025 analysis suggests.

What’s Happening Now

As of September 2025, Gen Z in developing countries faces new challenges from global tensions and digital gaps. In Kenya, recent floods from erratic weather have pushed Gen Z to set up volunteer groups via crowdfunding for relief work, showing their role in crisis response. In India, youngsters on professional networks are demanding government training for AI-driven jobs, with a 2025 report predicting 25% job losses by 2030.

In Latin America, Brazil’s deforestation spike has Gen Z using online forums for community tree-planting, bypassing slow official channels. In the Middle East, youth in Jordan and Lebanon use secure apps for joint efforts against water shortages, with a 2025 report noting 40% youth involvement in green campaigns. These moves show Gen Z tackling AI ethics and global trade shifts, like 2025 US-China talks affecting supply chains in Vietnam and Bangladesh.

In Africa, Nigeria’s Gen Z uses community platforms to run anti-corruption watchdogs, keeping an eye on 2025 local polls. South Africa’s youth push for renewable energy jobs on video platforms amid power cuts, with a 2025 survey showing 55% support for green shifts. These updates reflect Gen Z’s growing focus on sustainable growth and digital governance.

Looking Ahead

Gen Z is not just online; they are reshaping politics. Their tech skills, hunger for truth, and global outlook challenge old systems. By 2030, there will be a massive voting bloc, with millions in some regions alone. Ignoring them risks deeper divides but engaging them can build fairer systems. Their protests in Kenya, Nepal, and Bangladesh show they are not afraid to stand up, even against internet curbs.

For folks who love tracking online trends, this is a wake-up call. Gen Z’s voice, boosted by social media, pushes leaders to keep promises. It is not perfect—fake news and burnout are real hurdles—but their passion is like a spark in the dark. As we sit in 2025, with Nepal’s protests fresh and elections heating up globally, Gen Z is showing the world how to fight for a better, fairer future.