A New Force in World Politics: Understanding the Recent Gen Z Protest Wave Across the World

BIPSS Research Associate Mohosina Mostofa Mity discussed in this commentary how Gen Z–led protests in Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya, Morocco, Peru, and Bulgaria reflect youth frustration with governance failures rather than isolated policy issues. While triggers ranged from tax and pension reforms to social media bans and corruption scandals, the underlying causes were similar: weak accountability, limited economic opportunities, and exclusion from decision making. Young people used digital platforms to organise leaderless movements, expressing declining faith in traditional politics and demanding more inclusive and responsive governance. The commentary emphasizes that without reforms addressing youth employment, political representation, and institutional trust, such mobilisations are likely to continue shaping the global political landscape in 2026 and beyond.